Date set for commission to hear Premier League financial charges against Man City - but there's a twist

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has told MPs that a date has been set for an independent commission to hear Premier League financial charges against Manchester City.

However, he was unable to tell them the date. Or yet, at least. The Premier League chief did not reveal the date but said the case was “progressing”. He also stressed all top-flight clubs are treated equally under league rules.

It comes after Everton and Nottingham Forest have been referred to an independent commission over an alleged breach of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

The Premier League confirmed on Monday afternoon that both clubs had confirmed their breach during the three-year period ending with the 2022/2023 season. Teams are permitted maximum losses of £105million over three years.

Manchester City remain under investigation after being accused of breaching 115 regulations over a period of 14 seasons from 2009/2010 onwards. They strongly deny the accusations and a verdict in that sense will take much longer, given the number and complexity of the charges.

An update - of sorts - was provided on Tuesday morning. Masters was asked by MPs whether he could understand fans’ frustrations over the different timescales. Masters said: “They are very different charges, that’s all I would say.

“If any club, whether the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of the spending rules for year 23, they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest, but the volume and character of the charges laid before Manchester City – which I obviously cannot talk about – are being heard in a completely different environment. There is a date set for that proceeding, unfortunately I can’t tell you when that is, but that is progressing.”