Premier League chief who hands out medals will be at Arsenal instead of Man City | Football | Sport

Anything less for City though, and it’s Arsenal who would take the title if they win at home to Everton. Mikel Arteta’s men go into Sunday two points off the pace, but their super goal difference means they will end a 20-year wait for a Premier League win if both teams end up level on points.

Strangely though, according to the Athletic, Masters will be at the Emirates and not the Etihad. That’s despite it appearing more likely that the silverware will be lifted in Manchester.

The development has instantly led to accusations from some City fans that Masters is shying away from their stadium due to fear of a hostile reception. It has now been 15 months since City were charged with 115 alleged Premier League breaches relating to ‘financial irregularity’, with the club vehemently denying any wrongdoing.

Some City fans have been left confused by the decision, questioning the reasoning behind Masters heading to north London. He was at the stadium last season to present the silverware to then-skipper Ilkay Gundogan.

Preparations will reportedly be being made for a trophy presentation at both grounds after the full-time whistle. The only other time such provisions have been put in place for the final day in the last five years was in 2022, when both City and Liverpool were in contention.

If City do see off the Hammers, then skipper Kyle Walker will receive the silverware from Premier League chair Alison Brittain. Despite the absence of Masters, the league delegation is still likely to receive a hostile reception from home fans.

The alleged club breaches mostly relate to an alleged ‘failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information’. City have also been accused of a ‘failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations’, with the allegations spanning over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

The time taken for an outcome over the case has been widely criticised, with Masters insisting in January that a date for a hearing had been set. However, he claimed he was unable to publicly reveal when that date was. The Manchester Evening News claims we could know the outcome of City’s case by the summer of 2025.