‘It seems unfair’ – Government MP criticizes Premier League over 115 charges against Man City as Everton looks on

A senior Conservative MP has claimed the Premier League is taking too long to hear allegations of 115 financial rule breaches by Manchester City, which in turn creates an unfair system between clubs.

Caroline Dinenage, chair of the government’s culture, media and sport committee, suggested it was “unfair” for clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest who have been punished this season for their own accusations of profiteering rules and of sustainability. She also questioned comments made by Premier League CEO Richard Masters to the committee about “big clubs and small clubs”.

Masters were asked whether smaller clubs should be expected to bear the same legal costs as wealthier clubs, saying: “I said these standard instructions are for everyone. They are not just for small clubs.” He then clarified in a letter: “It would be incorrect to infer that there is unfair treatment based on the size of the club.”

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Now Dinenage has told the House the committee was “perplexed” by Masters’ comments, which she said pointed to a “two-tier system” from which City would benefit.

“It sometimes feels like there’s kind of a two-tiered system here,” she said. “When the Premier League boss came to give evidence to the select committee, he spoke of ‘big clubs’ and ‘small clubs’.

“The whole committee found this a bit confusing, because in reality there should not be different standards of behavior depending on the size of the club.”