Richard Masters will watch Arsenal instead of Man City on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters will attend Arsenal’s match against Everton on Sunday instead of Manchester City’s clash with West Ham.
The title can go either way on the final day of the season and there’ll be identical trophies at the Emirates and Etihad to ensure the champions can celebrate.
City’s fate is in their own hands and they will clinch the title if they defeat David Moyes’ side regardless of Arsenal’s game against Everton.
Arsenal need to beat Everton to have any chance of coming out on top and that would need to be coupled with City suffering defeat or being held to a draw.
Despite City appearing to be the more likely champions – and looking set to lift the trophy for the sixth time in seven seasons – Masters will not be at their match.
The Premier League CEO has instead decided to head to the Emirates to watch Arsenal as the Gunners look to secure their first top-flight title in 20 years.
That means Masters will avoid the potentially awkward scenario of presenting City with the Premier League trophy amid their 115 alleged breaches of FFP rules.
Man City will be crowned champions again if they beat West Ham (Picture: Getty)
Last month, Masters confirmed that City were set for a hearing over their 115 charges in the ‘near future’.
‘We can’t comment on the case, the date is set,’ Masters said. ‘The case will resolve itself at some point in the near future. I can’t make any further comment on it.’
City, who have always strongly denied any wrongdoing, were charged with breaking financial rules over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.
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Speaking back in January, Masters added: ‘Yes, I can [understand frustration from supporters about the length of time over the probe].
‘I can but they are very different charges, that’s all I’d say. If any club, whether they’re the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of spending rules for year 2023 they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest.
‘But the volume and character of the charges laid before Man City, which I obviously cannot talk about at all, are being heard in a completely different environment. There is a date set for that proceeding, unfortunately I can’t tell you when that is but that is progressing.’
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