City was charged in February 2023 with more than 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations, including accusations of providing misleading information about its sources of revenue. The case was heard by an independent commission between September and December last year, but a verdict has yet to be delivered.
The potential consequences are severe, with possible punishments ranging from heavy fines to expulsion from the top flight. City has consistently denied all charges.
With the 2025–26 Premier League season set to kick off on Friday, the unresolved matter continues to loom over the competition. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Masters stressed that the league has no authority over the pace of proceedings.
“I can’t answer that specific question,” Masters said when asked why the process could not be expedited. “All I can tell you about is the system and how it works. Once the charge has been put forward, it goes before an independent panel, independently selected, and they control the process and timings. They hear the case, they decide the outcome, and we have no influence over that. From an independence point of view, that’s the right approach.”
Acknowledging his own impatience, Masters admitted, “My frustration is irrelevant. I just have to wait, and legal processes rarely take less time than you anticipated. We have to be patient.”
No Immediate Plans for Premier League Matches Abroad
Masters also addressed speculation about the Premier League potentially staging competitive matches overseas, a concept once floated as the controversial “39th game” back in 2008.
The Spanish league recently approved a request to host a fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona in the United States this December, but Masters said the Premier League sees less need for such a move.
“Our objective back then was to help grow the Premier League around the world,” he explained. “We’ve achieved that through other means — strong broadcast partnerships, digital innovation, and events like the Summer Series in the U.S. The Premier League is now a truly global league, with billions of people tuning in over the next nine months. That necessity has dissipated.”
While the idea of taking a competitive match abroad is not currently on the agenda, Masters suggested the league will continue to explore new ways to connect with its vast global audience without altering the domestic competition format.