Premier League CEO Richard Masters has confirmed that a date has been set for Manchester City’s hearing over their 115 outstanding Financial Fair Play charges.
City have been accused of rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, with an independent commission currently working to determine whether or not the club are guilty.
Chelsea are also currently under investigation by the Premier League, due to “offshore” dealings made by previous owner Roman Abramovich, after the Blues’ new owners reported potential issues in the accounts when they arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Since both investigations were started, however, Everton have been issued a points deduction after being found guilty of financial breaches, and the Toffees were once again charged with breaking FFP rules alongside Nottingham Forest on Monday.
Speaking at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Premier League CEO Masters was asked for updates on the cases involving City and Chelsea.
“I cannot give you any details on Manchester City apart from that a date has been set,” Masters said. “But I can’t tell you when that date is.
“On Chelsea, the new owners of Chelsea came forward to UEFA, the FA and Premier League about information of the previous ownership and we are still investigating that. We won’t announce the outcome of that until we have completed the investigations.”
On the charges brought against Everton and Forest, Masters added: “It’s a very solemn duty, I have to say. No one likes enforcing the financial rules. It’s the first time the Premier League have done it. These financial rules were brought in 2013/14. They were brought in, post-Portsmouth actually, with the specific purpose of ensuring unsustainable spending couldn’t go too far. There was a wrapper put around how much clubs could invest in pursuit of their aims.
“This is the first time we’ve laid a charge in this specific way. Nobody wants to be doing it, but it must be done because we have to think about the clubs that have complied with the rules and their fan base and that ultimately is the duty of the Premier League board and the EFL board and similar circumstances.
“Because we changed the rules last summer, where there’s a more expedited process. There’s a three year look-back. In Everton’s case, the decision was made on that case a year after, a season after, they were found of being in breach. It’s a very long period and that’s why we brought in expedited directions to try and help that process work more efficiently.”
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