La Liga chief Tebas claims Man City case handling damaging Premier League
La Liga president Javier Tebas has described the Premier League’s handling of Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches as “damaging” to the competition’s reputation.
Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London, the Spaniard criticised the lack of resolution in a case that has continued for over three years.
The reigning English champions were charged with more than 100 breaches of financial rules in February 2023.
Despite an independent commission hearing the case between September and December 2024, no public outcome has yet been announced.
‘City has impunity’
Tebas argued that the delay creates significant “uncertainty” regarding the strict application of governance.
The 62-year-old administrator pointed out that other English sides have faced swift points deductions for profitability and sustainability breaches.
“I understand that it’s a failure [of governance],” said Tebas.
“Other clubs are being fined, having points deducted, and that’s fine if you don’t abide by the rules. But Manchester City has impunity.”
He added: “I speak to a lot of Premier League clubs, and the majority don’t understand this either. That makes the institution weaker.”
Tebas insisted that “legal certainty” is essential for financial fair play regulations to remain credible.
“Citizens have to think that the system is fair to all, that it’s not arbitrary, that it’s objective,” he explained.
Masters remains silent
Manchester City have consistently and strenuously denied the allegations.
The Etihad club insist they possess a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their position.
Also appearing at the summit, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters declined to discuss the specific timeline of the verdict.
“I can’t talk about it, I can’t talk about the timing of it,” Masters said.
When pressed on whether the league was considering ways to expedite future judicial processes, the organisation’s top official refused to be drawn.
Masters concluded: “Having spent three years not commenting, I’m not going to start now.”/p>