Premier League Oversight: Richard Masters’ Role in Title Celebrations and Controversies
Amy received her first packet for the week on Wednesday, 21st of September in 2022 while watching the English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium and the chief executive of the English Premier League Richard Masters was present at the stadium. Liverpool were in a position to capture the title during the last matchday, but Manchester City, who were confident that a final day win over Aston Villa would crown them champions had the better odds. First Man City accused, then cleared, over alleged Premier League rules breaches.That is why it only made sense for Masters to be competitively positioned in Manchester.
In 2023, having been given the all-clear by the Premier League’s lawyers, Masters re-emerged at the Etihad to oversee City’s latest title triumph following the Premier League’s claim that City was guilty of 115 breaches of competition rules. This led to some misery and awkwardness. Whenever such a high profile association as a Premier League present serious and complex cases against one of its most prominent members it cannot but appear rather uneasy. It would have been even more embarrassing if Masters had not arrive at that time. Currently in the year 2024 City is in the same state as in the case of 2022 but with Arsenal and Masters will be at the Emirates stadium instead of Etihad.
The reason for this has not been revealed whether it was for a dinner booking in London or to access amenities at the Arsenal stadium preferring on their side or to celebrate Arsenal irrespective of the title achievement. In all probability, no one at Etihad has much to worry about Masters no-shows; still, it is rather strange, especially when the man was present at the trophy celebration last year.
Is there something that Masters know that the others do not?
In the absence of such explanation, many falsehoods and accusations against City has been circulated. Most fail to factor in the fact that Masters has attended previous sessions and thinks that his no-show is because of the charges against City. Looking at the position of the Premier League since the charges were made public, it must have known that this speculation could happen.
Otherwise, the Masters avoiding the Etihad will be named by those who believe in City’s guilt without knowing the charges. While this may help console the Premier League in going forward to pursue the case they are also damaging their image as a brand and business. Due to this elimination, City spoils its image and shakes the believability of the league, and all of that only undermines the Premier League.
The same applies to Masters: His moment to make a stand was when the charges were made last year, but he was seen enjoying the facilities of City’s university instead.
It could be argued that the absence of an explanation for his decision this year creates thriving acrimony similar to the Premier League charges on the champions.