Premier League chief Richard Masters explains why he didn't attend Man City match

Premier League CEO Richard Masters
Premier League CEO Richard Masters pictured before Manchester City's title lift last season -Credit:Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images


Premier League CEO Richard Masters has explained why he chose to attend Arsenal's final game of the season instead of watching Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's team had the title within their grasp going into the match, knowing a victory would secure their fourth consecutive win. Despite this, Masters decided against being at the Etihad Stadium, choosing instead to be in North London for Everton's visit to the Emirates Stadium.

This coincides with an ongoing wait around City's 115 charges from the league accusing them of breaking financial rules over a 10-year period. It's been over a year since the Premier League declared war on their most successful team of the past decade, announcing unprecedented allegations of rule breaches that now carry the threat of potential points deductions.

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The trial is scheduled to take place later this year, although no official date has been publicly announced. At the start of the season, Masters said he understood concerns about the timing and looming impact of the charges.

He stated: "It's now in the hands of an independent panel. I can't comment on it, it's with them, they will set the timeline. And I can't comment on when it will come to fruition. But it will be heard, it will come to fruition, I just can't say when, and I can't comment on it."

Now, at the Emirates Stadium, he didn't yield to questions about why he was in London rather than Manchester. "We do have two teams in operation," he briefly commented.

"Obviously, whoever wins the league title today, we are going to put on a fitting finale for whoever wins it. But I am afraid it is not particularly scientific.

"There are no protocols involved, but after Tuesday night's match between Spurs and Man City, I had a chat with our chair, Alison Brittain, and this is the plan we came up with. It is no more simple than that."

Arsenal's victory over Manchester United last weekend meant the title race would be decided on the final day. However, City managed to edge past Tottenham two days later to reclaim the top spot.

Masters was there when City hoisted the trophy last season, which happened before the season's final day following a home win against Chelsea.