Richard Masters has been criticised for his terminology while addressing a select parliamentary board in response to FFP charges that were made against Everton and Nottingham Forest this month. It comes with Manchester City still awaiting the hearing – and outcome – of 100-plus charges against them.
Everton and Forest are alleged to have breached Profit and Sustainability regulations (PSR) and they are expected to discover their fate towards at the end of the season. The Toffees were found guilty, previously, when they were slapped with a similar charge – leading to them being docked 10 points.
PSR enables Premier League clubs to lose £105million over a three-year period. The accusations against City – that were made before Everton’s previous charge – have yet to be dealt with due to their volume and their complexity.
Masters – CEO at the Premier League – was pressed on Everton and Forest’s situation when speaking to the select parliamentary board. However, in a lengthy reply letter from The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, penned via chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, the governing body’s top figurehead has been picked up for his wording in addition to the structure which is currently in place across the Premier League to deal with PSR concerns
“Dear Richard, thank you for appearing before the committee on 16th January 2024,” read the letter from CMSC. “I am writing to follow up on points raised during the session.
“Firstly, when discussing the charges laid against Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, you said the rules “are for everybody. They are not just for small clubs.” I would be grateful if you could clarify what criteria the Premier League uses to classify small clubs and which clubs it regards as small.”
