Tebas Criticises Premier League Over Man City Case Delay

• When asked whether the league might look to accelerate similar cases in the future
• Tebas stressed that financial fair play systems depend on transparency and legal certainty
• He suggested that while other clubs have faced swift punishments such as fines and points deductions

The Premier League has come under criticism from LaLiga president Javier Tebas over its prolonged handling of financial charges against Manchester City, with Tebas describing the delay as harmful to the league’s credibility.

Eko Hot Blog reported that Manchester City were charged in February 2023 with more than 100 alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The club has firmly denied all accusations. Although an independent commission heard the case between September and December 2024, a verdict has yet to be made public, more than three years after the charges were first announced.

Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London, Tebas said the key concern was not only the time taken but the uncertainty surrounding the enforcement of financial rules.

He suggested that while other clubs have faced swift punishments such as fines and points deductions, the lack of clarity in City’s case has created doubts about consistency.

According to Tebas, many Premier League clubs are closely following the situation and are unclear about why it remains unresolved. He argued that such uncertainty weakens the authority of the competition and risks damaging its reputation.

Tebas stressed that financial fair play systems depend on transparency and legal certainty. In his view, clubs and supporters must be confident that regulations are applied fairly and objectively. Any perception of inconsistency, he warned, can erode trust in the institution.

Manchester City, for their part, maintain they have a substantial body of evidence supporting their innocence and continue to reject the allegations.

Drawing from LaLiga’s own regulatory experience, Tebas said governing bodies must uphold rules firmly, even under pressure, to protect the integrity of competitions.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who also attended the event, declined to provide any update on the City case. He said he could not comment on either the substance or timing of the matter.

When asked whether the league might look to accelerate similar cases in the future, Masters reiterated that he was unable to discuss specifics, adding only that regulators generally aim for efficient judicial processes