La Liga president Javier Tebas has sharply criticized the Premier League over its handling of Manchester City's 115 alleged financial breaches and warned that the league's new financial rules could drive transfer market inflation.
Tebas launched a dual-pronged critique, calling it a "failure" that Manchester City's case remains unresolved more than three years after the club faced 115 charges.
He also warned that the Premier League's updated financial regulations are likely to fuel wage and transfer inflation across Europe. His remarks came as Premier League chief executive Richard Masters again sidestepped questions regarding the City case, stating: "I can't talk about it and talk about the timing of it. Having spent three years not talking about it, I'm not going to stop now obviously."
Tebas, however, did not hold back, criticizing the league for its prolonged handling of the City matter, especially as Everton and Nottingham Forest were swiftly sanctioned with fines and points deductions. Liverpool and other clubs remain in limbo, potentially benefiting if City were stripped of titles.
He said: "It's a failure of Premier League governance. Other clubs are observing this and seeing what’s happening. Fines and point deductions are fair if the rules are broken. But City seem to act with impunity. I speak with many English clubs, and most of them don’t understand this either. It weakens the institution of the Premier League."
The hearing on City’s alleged 115 breaches concluded in December 2024, but the independent commission is still deliberating.
Speaking at the FT Live Business of Football Summit, Tebas also criticized the Premier League’s financial rules and spending frameworks. Top clubs recently voted to replace the Profitability and Sustainability Rule with a new Squad Cost Ratios (SCR) system starting next season.
Under the new framework, clubs can spend up to 85% of seasonal revenues on wages and transfers, and up to 115% if balanced over three years.
Tebas added: "In Spain, we have strict Financial Fair Play rules. Clubs cannot spend more than their revenue. But these new regulations will lead to higher inflation and problems. Allowing 85% of revenues without considering other expenses undermines fair play.
"English football has the highest revenues, double that of La Liga or the Bundesliga. Clubs here have far more investment power. We cannot compete financially. While we can hire top players and coaches, English clubs have huge owner contributions.
"What will happen to the market? It’s obvious. The 85% SCR plus transfers allowing 115% of revenue will fuel inflation. I am surprised by these numbers. European FFP harmonization is the way forward."
