The head of the Premier League, Richard Masters, has announced that a date has been set to address the 115 allegations against Manchester City. He also acknowledged a delay in considering 777 Partners’ bid to purchase Everton, as he emphasized the league’s dedication to improving English football to members of Parliament.
During a hearing with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Masters stated that the investigation into Everton may take a few weeks to finish due to difficulties obtaining sufficient information from the American investors. He also refused to disclose any information about the City hearing, which is rumored to occur before the end of the season. In addition, Rick Parry, who is the counterpart for the English Football League, had to address a new issue with Reading’s owner, Dai Yongge, during the current crisis.
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The discussion at the DCMS revolved around the continuous inability of the Premier League and EFL to reach an agreement that would guarantee financial stability for English football as a whole. All parties acknowledged that a deal is still far from being reached, with Parry suggesting that the suggested independent regulator should first evaluate the state of the sport before finalizing negotiations.
When asked about the frustration felt by Everton fans, who have already faced consequences during the season and now face more charges, while the City investigation has been ongoing for six years, Masters expressed his sympathy. He acknowledged the frustration, but explained that the charges against City are different and will be heard in a separate setting. He also noted that if any club, including current champions, were to violate spending rules in 2022-23, they would face similar consequences as Everton and Nottingham Forest. However, the nature and severity of the charges against City are being addressed in a different way and a specific date has been set for the proceeding. Unfortunately, Masters was unable to disclose when this will take place.
When questioned about the 777 Partners’ bid for Everton, Masters stated that a conclusion would be reached once the process is completed. However, the timeline for this can vary, as some processes can take just a few weeks while others may take longer if satisfactory answers are not received. The process has been ongoing for several weeks already and is expected to continue for an unspecified amount of time, but hopefully it will wrap up in a matter of weeks.
During the questioning of Masters, a recurring topic was the Premier League’s claim of being a capable regulator of the sport. Masters asserted that fans are concerned with the enforcement of rules by regulatory bodies such as the Premier League. However, the hearing revealed that there has been little advancement in resolving the structural problems between the Premier League and EFL.
Members of Parliament were open about their wish for the situation to be disrupted by the prompt implementation of an independent regulator as the top priority. “We hold onto hope,” stated chairperson Caroline Dinenage in light of reports of upcoming parliamentary action.
Parry hinted at a change in the stance of the EFL, stating that there is still a chance for an outcome that would benefit the entire hierarchy. This could potentially lead to increased fan ownership within the EFL. However, he emphasized that the most effective approach would be to let the regulator conduct an unbiased evaluation of the current state of football. “We urge for the publication of the bill and for progress to be made on the state of football review,” he concluded in his final statement.
Source: theguardian.com
