Everton’s 10-point deduction, Man City’s 115 charges and banning loans for ‘associated clubs’: Karren Brady leads Premier League chiefs gathering at five-star hotel in London with plenty to discuss
- A shareholders meeting is being held today at a five-star hotel in London
- Premier League leaders have arrived to discuss a number of controversial issues
- It’s the world against Everton – it could encourage the players to stay up – IAKO
Premier League chiefs arrived at a five-star hotel in London this morning for what promises to be a fascinating shareholders’ meeting.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady and Burnley chairman Alan Pace were both seen entering the Churchill Hotel in west London, where a number of controversial issues were on the agenda.
The meeting comes just four days after Everton were stunned to be handed a 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules.
The significant penalty has seen Sean Dyche’s men drop to the bottom three, but the Toffees have vowed to appeal the verdict.
However, things could get worse for them as Burnley, Leicester and Leeds – all of whom have been relegated from the Premier League in the past two seasons – are seeking £300 million in damages because they believe Everton’s fouls have left them in the top flight held.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady arrived at the five-star hotel on Tuesday morning
Burnley chairman Alan Pace was also seen entering the west London hotel for the meeting
If they are successful in their claim, it could put Everton under administration and see them deducted a further nine points.
But Everton believe the punishment imposed on them last week was ‘unjust’ and in a statement released on Friday they said they would ‘follow with great interest the decisions taken in other cases relating to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules ‘.
This seemed to allude to the fact that Manchester City are currently facing 115 charges for allegedly breaking financial regulations as far back as February.
Their case is still ongoing, but shareholders of rival clubs are likely to wonder today whether progress is being made in reaching a decision on whether City are guilty of any wrongdoing and what the possible punishment could be.
Another topic of discussion will be temporarily banning the loan of players from clubs that have the same owners.
Newcastle have been linked with a possible attempt to loan players from the Saudi Pro League in January to strengthen their squad, with Eddie Howe admitting he is an admirer of Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves.
However, Newcastle and Al-Hilal are both owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and some teams are concerned about the possibility of temporary transfers between ‘associated clubs’.
Shareholders will vote on whether or not to loan players to clubs with the same owners.
A two-thirds majority is needed for the temporary rule to pass, and that is expected to be a close call.
It appears Newcastle’s chances of landing Neves have already diminished, with Neves expected to stay at Al-Hilal beyond January, but if the temporary ban is given the green light it would completely rule them out of contention to secure his signature to set.