Ed Aarons answers readers' questions as the Premier League returns

Ed Aarons answered readers' questions online as the Premier League returned on Saturday after a lengthy international break dominated by the Manchester City verdict.

Readers asked whether political pressure would prompt the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to act over Manchester City; Aarons called the situation "probably the biggest challenge" for IFR chair David Kogan and said it had come less than a year after his appointment. Aarons noted that the IFR "is able to re-assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives" and quoted Kogan's statement that "we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals."

Aarons pointed to the political ramifications highlighted by Andy Burnham saying he would be "really concerned" to lose the City’s owners from Abu Dhabi, and said that reaction put the IFR in a tricky situation while it is meant to be independent and Kogan will be keen to show that.

On refereeing, Aarons cited the decision to award Sunderland a penalty against Arsenal last month and said Mikel Arteta's reaction was probably an attempt to put doubts in officials' minds; he added that referees were on the lookout for miscreants at set pieces but that cracking down would not be easy without VAR.