Premier League chief executive Richard Masters addressed a wide range of pressing issues facing English and global football ahead of the new campaign, speaking on Manchester City’s ongoing financial hearing, Chelsea’s sanctions, friction with FIFA, and potential high-profile investment from Jeff Bezos.

Speaking at the Premier League’s London headquarters, Masters stood firm on the long-running case regarding Manchester City’s 100-plus charges for alleged financial rule breaches, insisting that the independent commission cannot be rushed despite growing frustration across the sport.

“Yes, there will be an outcome, but I literally can’t say anything about it,” Masters said. “There’s only one available outcome, which is to allow the process to reach its natural conclusion. I can’t talk about the substance of the case. I can’t talk about the timing of the case. I’ve always been very clear about that. I accept it’s taken longer than anyone expected and obviously people are eager to know what the outcome is, but the process is the process.”

When questioned about whether the prolonged timeline pointed to systemic issues, Masters defended the proceedings: “We’ve always said the commission needs the time and space to do their work. It’s the league’s job, providing the evidence is there, to put serious allegations in front of an independent commission to let it establish the truth. That process shouldn’t be qualified by the amount of time it takes.”

Chelsea Sanctions and Financial Regulations

Masters also defended the £10 million fine and suspended transfer ban handed to Chelsea earlier this year after the club self-reported £47 million in off-the-books payments made to agents and third parties between 2011 and 2018 under previous ownership—transactions that contributed to signings including Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard, and David Luiz.

“In the end, a sanction agreement was reached and it was the largest fine in Premier League history by quite some distance, and it was also the only sporting sanction, albeit a suspended one, that’s been given outside the PSR cases,” Masters explained. “(The Chelsea) sanction had to go to an independent commission and part of their job is to opine on whether the sanction is unduly lenient. They did not in this case.”

Calendar Congestion and Legal Battle with FIFA

Turning to international football, Masters criticised FIFA’s fixture expansion, reiterating the Premier League's backing for legal action filed at the European Commission by European Leagues and FIFPro regarding calendar saturation and dominant market power abuse.

“This proves what we’ve been talking about for five years: the calendar, competitions, decisions that impact on domestic football competitions,” said Masters. “The Premier League has been the same size since 1994. It begins in August and ends in May. All the new football is either at regional or global level, and the amount of football that players play now… we’re at saturation point. Leagues don’t have a meaningful seat at the table at all.”

He added that world football's governing body requires major governance reform: “What needs to happen is for another candidate to emerge with a new, different offer that can unify the confederations. Part of that offer should be to look at governance reform.”

Investment and EFL Distribution Deal

Addressing reports linking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with potential investment in Liverpool, Masters welcomed top-tier external backing for member clubs while rejecting any idea of the league selling equity in its central commercial rights.

“That is proof positive that people still look at the Premier League and think it’s a strong investment,” Masters noted on Bezos and Liverpool. “It’s also a testament to the job (Fenway Sports Group) has done.”

On broader domestic finances, Masters confirmed that Premier League clubs have approved a new distribution framework proposal for the English Football League (EFL), aiming to avert direct intervention from the incoming Independent Football Regulator.

“Two weeks ago, our clubs unanimously approved a new proposal,” Masters stated. “It includes all the financial elements you’d expect: an increase in solidarity funding, a phased reduction in parachute payment and a whole bunch of other things. We’re very much in favour of an industry-led solution and not having to use what could be a very damaging backstop process to find a resolution.”