Gary Neville feels a 'little sorry' for Richard Masters as he feels the owners of Newcastle United among others has 'compromised' the Premier League when it comes to sanctioning Chelsea. The future of the Champions League holders remains uncertain in the wake of the government-enforced restrictions placed upon owner Roman Abramovich.
The Premier League disqualified Abramovich as a director of the club following the sanctions brought about over the oligarch's links to Russian president Vladimir Putin in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Recent reports have suggested Chelsea's top-flight spot and the future of their players could be at risk if a sale is not agreed sooner rather than later.
Neville and fellows Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher previously discussed questions of morality in light of geopolitical issues which have thrust Premier League clubs into the spotlight. The former Manchester United defender has since gone on to explain why he feels sympathy for top-flight executive Masters, arguing the owners of Newcastle among others limits the sanctions they can enforce themselves on Abramovich.
He told the Gary Neville Podcast: "I feel a little sorry for the Premier League executive, but they haven't got a voice at all at this moment in time to be able to grab it by the scruff of the neck and say this what we're going to do, but they can't because they're compromised and conflicted.
"When you go to the actual clubs as Richard Masters and say what are we going to do with this, you've got the Newcastle owners over here, you've got the Manchester City owners and the other owners that are thinking hang on a minute, this could come our way soon if we're not careful. They all sort of wince away and they are sort of deadlocked... they're stuck, and it has to change.
"From Chelsea's point of view, well done to the players and the manager for fronting up. You do footballers and coaches proud, and I think that's really important to say.
"But for those above, I'm sorry to say it doesn't work anymore. I think there's going to be a large rejection of the elite and the hierarchy, but I think it's going to come into society soon as well."
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