Chelsea and Manchester City will feature in the FIFA Club World Cup
Image credit: FIFA Club World Cup
The Premier League chief, Richard Masters, has expressed concerns about the impact of the upcoming Club World Cup on Manchester City and Chelsea.
Both clubs will represent England in the expanded 32-team competition, which is set to take place in the United States. The timing of the event has sparked worries about player welfare and the potential disruption to the Premier League’s schedule.
The final of the Club World Cup will be held on July 13, 2025, just a month before the Premier League season begins on August 16.
Masters highlighted the challenges this creates, as players are contractually required to have a three-week break. He pointed out the difficulties:
If either Manchester City or Chelsea get to the final of that competition, the Premier League starts four weeks later, and all players are supposed to have three weeks off as part of the contractual commitment. So how does that work? With great difficulty, I would say.
Beyond the logistical issues, Masters also discussed the ongoing financial challenges facing English football, particularly in relation to the potential creation of an independent regulator.
The Premier League spent over £45 million ($56 million) on legal costs during the 2023/24 season, much of it focused on defending its rules amid challenges from clubs, including the ongoing disciplinary case against Manchester City for alleged breaches of financial regulations.
Despite the financial concerns, Masters reassured that the Premier League is not in a precarious position.
He also raised concerns that excessive regulation could undermine the competitive nature of the league. “We have that jeopardy, we have that constant fizz of compelling entertainment,” he said.
There are many different reasons (for the Premier League’s global popularity) but that, I think, is what separates us from others.
Masters emphasized the Premier League’s commitment to allowing clubs to invest in a way that keeps the league competitive.
The Premier League is not a pension fund, it is a place where capital is put at risk. There is no certainty of outcome — that is one of the things that makes it interesting.
As the Premier League navigates these challenges, Masters stressed the need for a balance between regulation, investment, and maintaining the competitive edge that has made the league one of the most popular in the world.