Premier League's Financial Unity: Richard Masters Assures No Club Rift Over PSR Regulations

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has dismissed any notion of a 'civil war' among clubs concerning the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, Masters emphasized unity despite delays in replacing the current PSR with the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) system.

The move to SCR, which allows clubs to spend up to 85% of their revenues on squad costs, has been postponed to the 2025-26 season following legal challenges, including one from Manchester City regarding sponsorship deals. 'Alignment among Premier League clubs has never been easy,' Masters admitted, 'but we are committed to finding the best path forward.'

Key Points:

• PSR Challenges: Everton and Nottingham Forest faced point deductions last season for breaching PSR rules, which limit losses to £105m over three years.
• SCR Transition: The new SCR system will mirror UEFA's financial sustainability rules, applying sanctions in-season.
• Legal Uncertainty: Manchester City's ongoing legal battles have added complexity to the rule changes.

Masters also addressed concerns about an independent football regulator, stating that while he worries about 'mission creep,' he hopes the final framework will maintain a 'light touch' and focus on growth. 'The Premier League has strong fundamentals,' he reassured, 'and we’ll function well under any financial system.'

As the Premier League navigates these financial and regulatory challenges, Masters remains confident in the league's resilience and its ability to maintain competitive balance. 'By the end of the year, we’ll have a clearer picture of the regulator’s role,' he concluded, 'and we’ll ensure it supports the game’s continued success.'