Prem chief Richard Masters speaks out as Man City 115 charges verdict drags on

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has stated that any frustration he might feel over the delay in reaching a decision in the Manchester City case is "irrelevant" and insists that everyone will "have to be patient".

The Premier League levelled more than 100 charges against City in February 2023, relating to alleged breaches of its financial rules and an alleged failure to co-operate with the subsequent investigation, and referred the matter to an independent commission.

City have consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The case was heard by a commission between September and December last year, but no decision has been released.

As the 2025-26 season kicks off this weekend, the issue continues to loom over the league, with Masters reiterating that his organisation has no control or say over the timings.

When questioned by Sky Sports News as to why the league could not expedite the process, Masters responded: "I can't answer that specific question. What I can tell you about is the system and how it works.

"I mean, it's an independent judiciary, essentially. So once the allegations, the charge has been put forward, they go before an independent panel, which is independently selected, and they are then in charge of the process and its timings.

"They hear the case, they decide the outcome, and we have no influence over that, over it or its timing.

"And that's right, if you think from an independence point of view, that there are independent people making those decisions, and we just have to be waiting.

"My frustration is irrelevant, really. I mean, I just have to wait, and legal processes rarely take less time than you anticipated, but we have to be patient."

City boss Pep Guardiola has consistently backed the club's position that no wrongdoing has occurred, and in February he predicted a verdict would be reached within the month.

"In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence," Guardiola stated. "After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far."

Expanding on his belief that the club doesn't excessively spend, he said: "My words will not convince people. I know with this club it is always 'just about the money'.

"But in the past five years, we are the last among the top six for net spend. Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Arsenal, Tottenham. Even from Liverpool. The only reason why is we sell a lot in the last seasons."