The CEO of Premier League, Richard Masterssaid this Friday (26) that the trial of 115 financial irregularities of which the Manchester City is accused will occur in the “near future”.
In recent weeks, the spotlight has returned to citizens after Nottingham Forest It is Everton had points removed for not complying with the program rules PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules).
Asked at a press conference about the “justice” in the fact that City have a chance of becoming English champions despite being accused of more than 100 tax irregularities, Master was direct.
“We cannot comment on the case at the moment, but the date (of the hearing) is set. This case will be resolved at some point in the near future. I cannot say anything more than that,” he stressed.
The Manchester team was formally accused of Premier League in February 2023 for 115 alleged financial frauds that occurred over nine seasons.
The league’s investigation took four years to complete, and the accusations were presented to an independent commission, which will analyze and judge the case in secret.
Possible sanctions include loss of points, application of fines and even demotion to the Championshipthe English 2nd division.
According to Premier Leaguethe celestial club would be guilty of “not presenting accurate financial information about the club’s true economic situation”.
Furthermore, the team was accused of not cooperating with investigations.
Since the investigations began, the citizens deny any wrongdoing.
In November 2023, the club’s coach, Josep Guardiolaasked for calm with hasty judgments on the topic.
“You ask questions as if the club had already been punished. Everyone has to remember that we are innocent until proven guilty”, he highlighted.
“I know that people want (City to be punished). I know that, I feel that… But we have to wait and see. After the sentence comes out, we will come here and talk about the issue”, he added.
In January, Masters also commented on the case and said he understood the “frustration” of fans of the Premier League with the fact that Everton and Forest’s cases were judged much more quickly than City’s.
The CEO, however, left it clear that the problems the Manchester club is accused of are much greater than those of the Liverpool and Nottingham teams.
“The volume and characteristics of the accusations made against Manchester City […] they are part of a completely different environment”, he explained.
During the period analyzed by the investigations, the citizens enjoyed a “golden era” in terms of sporting success, culminating in last season’s “Triple Crown”.
Under Guardiola’s command, the team has won five of the last six editions of the English Championship. This year, the team competes for the title point-to-point with Arsenal.
If City wins this season, in fact, it will be the first time that a team has been national champion four times in a row.
Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City?
Nottingham Forest x Manchester Citythis Sunday (28), at 12:30 pm (Brasília time), on Premier Leaguehe has transmission via ESPN at the Star+.
