Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters insists the independent commission investigating Manchester City's alleged 115 breaches of financial rules "need time and space to do their work" - even if the process is taking "longer than expected."
Pressure mounts for resolution
On the eve of the new season, the Premier League is facing increased pressure to resolve the "hugely complex" case once and for all, three-and-a-half years after City were originally charged. Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick is the latest figure calling for clarity, over 18 months after the disciplinary hearing was concluded. City have always denied all charges and any wrongdoing.
CEO Masters said when asked if the investigation is in danger of being forgotten: "It will resolve itself, but as you know, I literally can't say anything about it."
Masters defends process
"There's only one available option, which is to allow the process to reach its natural conclusion and I can't talk about the substance of the case, I can't talk about the timing of the case. Our rules are very clear about that. Yesterday, I accepted that it would take longer than perhaps anyone had expected."
"The knowledge that people wanted to know - what the outcome was - needed to know what the outcome was. But the process was the process. I literally can't answer beyond what I've already said."
When pushed on whether there is anything the Premier League could have done to speed things up, Masters added: "We've always said that the commission needs time and space to do their work, and in the end, as you know, it's the league's job as the regulator to provide the evidences there, to put serious allegations in front of the independent commission, the independent process, to establish the truth."
Frustration among clubs
Masters was then asked whether he understands the level of frustration at the continued delay, to which he responded: "I just have to accept the fact that people are frustrated and want to know and I can't add anything further."
Some executives at top-flight clubs are frustrated that the process has been so drawn-out, particularly after Everton were ordered to pay Burnley £35million in June due to the impact of a breach of the Premier League's financial rules.
Gunners chief Garlick told the BBC: "It has gone on for a while. Everybody - the league and the teams - would want the clarity around what's going to happen next. But it's not something that I can control. It's not something that I can speculate on. And I just hope that there is a solution very quickly."
