Premier League CEO Richard Masters was grilled about many aspects of football governance ahead of the publication of a Bill aimed at bringing in an independent regulator for the domestic game.
Masters was speaking alongside his counterpart from the English Football League, Rick Parry, at a Culture, Media and Sport Parliamentary Commission held at Westminster on Tuesday, where he was appearing in relation to the lack of a so-called “new deal” for the distribution of financial benefits between the Premier League and EFL.
Watch the full Committee hearing
The specific case of Everton’s alleged breach of Profitability and Sustainability rules, the current points deduction under appeal and the Premier League’s decision to refer Everton to another independent commission later this season were raised but Masters defended the League’s actions, saying:
“We take our rulebook very seriously. It’s a handshake between all 20 clubs: all clubs look each other in the eye and so will comply with these rules. And they expect the board, if clubs don’t comply with those rules, to take action.
“Obviously we have to balance – Everton are a very important member of the Premier League and ever-present. We also have to think about the other 19 clubs and their fan bases and the decisions that we make.”
Everton Fan Advisory Board Chair, Dave Kelly, has since written to Committee Chair, Dame Caroline Dineage, raising his concerns over comments made by Masters regarding the sanctions framework for spending breaches.