How Premier League chief Richard Masters' Man City decision could impact trophy presentation

Richard Masters will not present the title to Manchester City if they beat West Ham United at the Etihad on Sunday - with the Premier League chief executive set to attend the Emirates Stadium instead.

Manchester City lead Arsenal at the top of the table by two points and will make history by securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title if they can secure victory on home soil against the Hammers this weekend.

Premier League chair Alison Brittain will be the representative in attendance at the Etihad on Sunday. However, it is unlikely she will be the one to present captain Kyle Walker with the trophy if his side can win an eighth title since 2012.

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While Masters was there last year, City got Alex Williams to hand over the trophy so they could use another club or community figure this season too.

Masters' decision to attend the Emirates rather than Etihad comes against the backdrop of the 115 Premier League charges City are facing for alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play. City, who deny any wrongdoing, are set to have their case heard before the end of 2024.

After the Premier League formally charged City with the alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play in February 2023, Masters was at the Etihad three months later when City captain Ilkay Gundogan lifted the Premier League title.

But when asked this week if a second Premier League title win for Pep Guardiola's side while the 115 charges remain unresolved would be an issue, Masters said: “It’s not for the football authorities to start being selective about who they would like to win the league. The key point is that you’ve got that jeopardy until the final day.”