Manchester City
Masters Addresses Delay Over Manchester City’s 115 Charges
Masters says the wait on Manchester City’s 115 charges is longer than expected, but offers no timing.
The long-running case surrounding Manchester City’s 115 charges remains unresolved, and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has acknowledged the growing impatience around it.
City were accused of several breaches, including failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information, breaking the league’s profit and sustainability rules, and not cooperating with investigations. The club have consistently denied wrongdoing, while debate has continued over what any punishment might look like if the charges are upheld. Suggestions have ranged from expulsion to the removal of trophies won during the period in question.
More than three and a half years after the process began, there is still no decision. With the 2026/27 season approaching, Masters admitted he could not offer any clarity on when an outcome will arrive.
“I do accept it’s taking longer than expected, and I understand that people want to find out as soon as possible what’s going on, but I simply can’t provide that,” Masters told https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgjeqez58wnoSky News .
“Our rules are very clear about that-I have to keep everything confidential until we’re ready to hand down a decision and be clear about it. I can’t give any update on timing or what’s happening,” he added.
“There’s only one available route through this, which is to allow the process to take its course. I do understand the frustrations.”
Those frustrations are shared by rivals, especially after Burnley won more than $47.6 million in compensation from Everton in June following a separate independent commission ruling. Four clubs, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs, served legal notices on City in 2024, keeping open the option of compensation if the charges are proved.
The Times estimates some of those clubs had calculated losses worth more than $136 million. Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick summed up the mood by saying: “Everybody-the league and the teams-would want the clarity around what’s going to happen next,” and, “And I just hope that there is a solution very quickly.”
Masters also drew a line between City’s case and the sanctions handed to other clubs. Nottingham Forest, Everton and Chelsea have all faced charges and punishment during the wait, though those cases were less complex. Chelsea’s recent sanction, involving payments to agents between 2009 and 2022, brought a $13.6 million fine and a suspended ban from registering new players for two transfer windows.
“In the situation with Chelsea, obviously it’s historic. It’s very different to PSR cases,” Masters said. “The new owners came forward with all the information, and we decided to enter a sanction agreement.”
Arsenal
Premier League Gameweek 1 Team of the Week: early standouts across the opening weekend
Opening weekend standouts from Pickford, De Cuyper, Sangaré, Gvardiol and Chelsea’s revived attack.
The Premier League season opened with a busy first weekend and several individual displays immediately demanding attention. Chelsea’s refreshed attack helped shape the closing stages of the round, while a number of other clubs also produced performances that stood out for different reasons.
Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Merseyside was not straightforward early on. The visitors started brightly, but poor finishing and Jordan Pickford kept them at bay. Pickford’s best moment came with a sharp save to deny Eddie Nketiah, and his contribution was among the best goalkeeping efforts of the weekend. Only Newcastle United debutant Lukáš Horniček prevented more goals on the opening weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion also enjoyed a dominant afternoon, with Maxim De Cuyper pushed into a more advanced role in the demolition of Aston Villa. His energy caused constant problems, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Victor Lindelöf’s own goal before adding another by attacking the box with real purpose. That return earned him the Fantasy Premier League Player of the Week award and a 17-point haul.
There was also a memorable debut for Nobel Mendy, who marked his first appearance for Hull City by scoring against Manchester United. The defender helped his side make the most of set-pieces, and he finished the match with 12 clearances as Hull protected their two-goal cushion.
At Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol made the difference against Bournemouth after an opening spell in which City’s fluidity caused problems. He timed his run perfectly to meet Rayan Cherki’s pass and finish calmly beyond Đorđe Petrović, even if the effort was initially flagged offside.
Brentford had strong contributions from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mamadou Sangaré in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis-Potter struck early, while Sangaré’s debut showed exactly why the Bees committed a club-record fee for him. He linked play effectively, assisted the opener and was involved again for Brentford’s third.
Newcastle United also had reason to be encouraged by Yoane Wissa, whose all-round work helped drive their display against Liverpool. He was central to the transition that led to Joe Willock’s go-ahead goal after Cody Gakpo had drawn Liverpool level.
Chelsea’s own attacking momentum was reflected by Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Palmer looked sharp after a disrupted previous campaign, while João Pedro scored in under 30 seconds and later returned the favour for Palmer. He now appears to be the league’s strongest centre forward outside Erling Haaland.
Arsenal’s opening-night win over Coventry City also featured a debutant contribution, rounding off a weekend in which several new and familiar faces made a strong first impression.
Championship
PFA Awards 2026: Fernandes and Shaw lead the honours
Fernandes and Shaw headlined the 2026 PFA Awards after standout seasons in England.
The 53rd PFA Awards took place on Tuesday night at the Manchester Opera House, with the game’s leading players across England recognised for their 2025-26 seasons. The ceremony covered the Premier League, the EFL Championship, League One and Two, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Super League 2.
Bruno Fernandes claimed the men’s Player of the Year award after a remarkable campaign for Manchester United. The midfielder set a Premier League record with 21 assists in a single season, and he became the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to win the prize.
In the women’s category, Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was voted Player of the Year for a second time. Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 matches last season and played a key role as City won the title. Her recognition completed a double after she was also named women’s Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in May.
Fernandes also completed a double of his own after being selected as men’s Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in May.
City youngster Nico O’Reilly, 21, received the men’s Young Player of the Year award, while Arsenal forward Olivia Smith, 22, won the women’s Young Player of the Year honour for the second straight season.
Elsewhere, former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, now with Everton, was named Championship Player of the Year. Birmingham City forward Lily Crosthwaite collected the WSL2 Player of the Year award, while former Leyton Orient forward Dom Ballard, now at Championship side Bristol City, was named League One Player of the Year.
The event also included the Premier League, WSL, Championship, League One and WSL2 Teams of the Year, with the full line-ups listed separately.
Liverpool
Manchester City’s Gakpo Interest Raises Difficult Questions for Liverpool
City have contacted Gakpo’s camp, but Liverpool would need major replacements before any sale.
Manchester City have emerged as a surprise suitor for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, with reports suggesting the move would be far from straightforward. One assessment has already described any possible deal as “problematic.”
The interest adds another layer to what has been a restless summer around the Dutch forward. Liverpool’s own recruitment in wide areas has suggested there were already reservations about their attacking depth, even before City entered the picture. That stance could now be tested.
According to The Times, City have already contacted Gakpo’s representatives. There have been no talks with Liverpool at this stage, but the interest is believed to be genuine. City are understood to view the 27-year-old as potential cover for Erling Haaland, even though Gakpo is a natural left winger and has struggled when used centrally for Liverpool.
City’s plans elsewhere complicate the picture. A replacement for the Tottenham-bound Sávio is already said to be taking shape in Palmeiras forward Allan Elias, while Omar Marmoush is also expected to move on this summer. That would leave the new-look City side lighter in attack, which helps explain why Gakpo has entered the conversation.
For Liverpool, any sale would depend on suitable replacements arriving first. The Athletic have said it would be “inconceivable” for Liverpool to allow Gakpo to leave unless two more wingers are signed. Their targets remain familiar: Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Yankuba Minteh have all been linked, with Rio Ngumoha potentially benefitting if a left-sided slot opens up more regularly.
But there is a major obstacle. Liverpool’s valuations and the asking prices are still too far apart, and neither Paris Saint-Germain nor Brighton are under pressure to sell. Unless Liverpool raise their spending, replacement business may not happen.
That leaves Liverpool in a strong position. Gakpo has four years left on a contract signed last August, and The Athletic believe City would need to pay more than $102.3 million (£75 million) to secure him, especially with the added cost of taking a player from a direct rival.
