Premier League Clubs Unhappy With Chief Executive Richard Masters Handling Of The League

  • Weekly Giveaway for our active users. N50,000 per Week. Do you want to contribute to this community? We are looking for contribution? What is hot right now? Sign up and get in on the ground floor of the newest, fastest growing Nigerian forum!

Adesina David

Member
May 14, 2023
680
1
18
21
Richard Masters is facing increasing criticism from a significant number of clubs who have teamed up in opposition to his leadership over several issues.

According to reports from Mail Sport, they revealed “seven of the clubs who refused to back the Premier League’s introduction of new associated party transaction rules [APT] this week were among the eight who voted down proposals to ban loan transfers” in November 2023.

This has resulted in concerns amongst the executive regarding the emergence of a group of persistent rebels.

Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Sheffield United are believed to have voted against the Premier League at a heated shareholders’ meeting on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Crystal Palace and Burnley are understood to have stayed on the fence during the meeting.

The ground to tighten APT guidelines were sanctioned by the slimmest of margin possible with two-thirds of the 18 votes cast said to be in favor.

However, Manchester City appear to be in a tussle with the league administrators and they are threatening to institute legal action against the Premier League.

The Cityzens grouse with the Premier League is because the restrictions are against competition laws.

The Premier League was chuffed with Wolverhampton Wanderers, who surprised many by voting in favor of the league's plans, having previously been against rules put in place to prohibit clubs from signing commercial deals with related companies at inflated amounts.

In November 2023, Wolves were one of the 8 clubs who voted against the introduction of a ban on loan moves between clubs who are of the same ownership structure.

Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, and Burnley also moved against the move.


It is believed that Wolverhampton Wanderers have changed their stance due to the Premier League amending the APT rules.

However, this change wasn't enough to also soothen the other rebels to support the plan.

Meanwhile, the Premier League also have to worry about Crystal Palace, with the club appearing to be joining the list of unhappy teams by abstaining on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Masters’ position as Chief Executive is not under threat as he is actively involved in fighting for the top-tier division in several other areas.

Some of these areas include countering an independent regulator and holding talks with the EFL over the supposed “New Deal for Football”.

However, despite this, he is facing a series of complaints over his handling of the English Premier League.

Additionally, there is some level of unhappiness amongst Premier League clubs over the division's position on notable issues.

These issues include; the Premier League's enforcement of Profit and Sustainability Rules, tabled changes to the loan system, and the financial settlement to be offered to the EFL as part of the New Deal.

There is also an apparent disagreement brewing involving Premier League clubs over their future TV rights and digital strategies.

Richard Masters still has the trust of the majority of the clubs, however, his opposition can still make life as the league's chief executive difficult for him.

Several clubs kicked against the Premier League handling of Newcastle United's ownership to the Saudi consortium and it resulted in the unexpected resignation of chairman Gary Hoffmann three years ago.

Masters is a favorite of many clubs in the league, although they believe his job has become really difficult, due to the different powerful and notable individuals currently leading many Premier League clubs.

Richard Masters has had to deal with several challenges since he became the league's chief executive, including the Coronavirus pandemic and the European Super League agitators.

In addition, he has also had to deal with Newcastle United's Saudi takeover and preeminence of multi-club ownership.

There is also said to be an ongoing tussle with the government and the Premier League regarding regulation.