Keith Wyness questioned why Manchester City’s case has not yet been heard while those of Everton and Nottingham Forest had been resolved so swiftly.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
The Premier League’s handling of financial cases has drawn criticism from former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, who said that “it seems to be one rule for the big boys and another rule for those below them.”
Wyness made the assertion following a mysterious update on the Manchester City investigation from league chief executive Richard Masters. “A date has been set and the case will resolve itself at some point in the near future,” Masters recently told the General Assembly of the European League.
Although Wyness conceded that the accusations made against City were distinct from those that Everton and Nottingham Forest had previously addressed, he maintained that the champions were being treated differently.
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Premier League regulations have resulted in 115 charges against City; the team was accused of these offenses prior to any accusations made against the Blues or Forest. Everton has since faced two charges, two punishments, and one successful appeal against the fines for violating sustainability and profit regulations. The club has barely avoided relegation after suffering eight points of deductions in the aftermath.
In the same time frame, Forest was also charged, had their case heard, and lost points of their own. Before the season ends, that club’s appeal against its four-point deduction and the Blues’ challenge to its second reduction will be heard.
Wyness is concerned that City’s case is still not being considered in the interim. The 66-year-old stated on the Inside Track podcast of Football Insider: “In essence, he [Masters] has said nothing more.” He hasn’t disclosed any times or dates, which only serves to increase the opaqueness. I understand that this is a complicated case.
“But they’ve been able to move things along quickly for Everton and Forest when it suits them. They ought to be able to move City’s case along more quickly. Masters hasn’t been open and honest with City throughout this entire process, and it appears that there are different rules for people in lower positions than for those in higher positions.
