Everton CHARGED with alleged Financial Fair Play breach after 10-month investigation
Everton CHARGED with alleged breach of financial fair play after a 10-month investigation after rivals questioned whether they had broken the rules after making significant losses for three years.
- Nearly year-long investigation concludes with club accused of FFP breach
- The Premier League announced that Everton referred to an independent commission
Everton have been referred to an independent commission for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, the governing body has announced.
The Merseyside club have been accused of breaching the league’s financial fair play rules relating to the period ending with the 2021-22 campaign.
A 10-month investigation began in spring 2022 after the club’s relegation rivals Leeds and Burnley wrote to the Premier League questioning whether Everton’s significant losses over three years contravened league rules.
Everton reported losses last season of £371.8m over three years, significantly above the £105m that Premier League rules state a club can lose in a season.
Clubs that break the rules may be fined or points deducted as a result.
‘In accordance with Premier League rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred an alleged breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules by Everton Football Club to a committee under rule W.3.4 of the Premier League.
“The evaluation period for which the Club is alleged to be in default is the period ending the 2021/22 season,” the league said.
‘The commissions are independent of the Premier League and its member clubs. The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chairman of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
‘Proceedings before the Commission, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, will be confidential and heard in private.
‘Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League website. The League will not make any further comments until then.
The news is likely to worry fans of the club, who find themselves in a dangerous position in the Premier League amid one of the closest relegation battles in recent history.
Last season the club managed to escape following a penultimate game win over Crystal Palace, though that win came under a shroud of questions about the club’s finances after Leeds and Burnley wrote to the Premier League.
Last year, Everton responded to allegations of financial wrongdoing by claiming they had done nothing wrong.
“We have worked closely with the Premier League to ensure we comply,” a spokesman said.
“We feel comfortable that we have complied with the rules. External auditors have told us what we can and cannot claim in the face of the pandemic. If the clubs want to take legal action, it’s their decision.”
They have not yet commented on the latest news.
More follows.