Premier League facing the threat of legal action from their OWN clubs over spending rules

The Premier League is facing the threat of legal action from their own clubs accusing them of not enforcing their own spending rules.

Mail Sport revealed yesterday that Southampton, Leicester, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Burnley have notified the Premier League that they will seek a total of £300 million in damages through an independent commission if Everton avoid relegation and are subsequently found guilty of breaching the contract. of expenditure. boundaries.

The disgruntled clubs are also considering filing a parallel damages claim against the Premier League for failing to comply with rules preventing clubs from posting losses of more than £105 million over a three-year period.

Everton have been working closely with the Premier League for two years to keep their spending under control, with any player who signs and needs a new contract needing permission from the authorities. years.

“It is clear that the Premier League has been ineffective or negligent in enforcing their own rules,” a club source told Mail Sport.

Disgruntled teams let the top flight know they will ask for £300m if Everton avoid relegation (Photo: Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, left, chairman Bill Kenwright, right)

Everton have been working with the Premier League for two years to control their spending

“Everton’s defense to the allegations is essentially that the Premier League has approved all of their spending, which appears to be the case.

“The Premier League was certainly forewarned about Everton’s planned spending before submitting their 2021/22 bills in March, but they balked and allowed them to keep spending.”

There is widespread discontent among the other 19 top clubs that the issue of Everton’s spending was not finally addressed last summer after they avoided charges related to their 2020/21 bills.

The subject was reportedly raised by several clubs, both in private communications with the Premier League and in public meetings, but they were assured that Everton’s Covid-19 allowances had ensured they were compliant and there was no reason to answer. .

Everton spent £86million on players last summer and signed James Tarkowski from Burnley on a free transfer, bringing their total transfer spend under Farhad Moshiri ownership in seven years to £731million.

But the authorities have now been accused of failing to enforce their own spending rules

Leicester are one of five clubs potentially seeking damages if Everton beat the drop

Everton charged for breaching limit in March and remain above £105m loss limit

The sale of Richarlison to Tottenham for £60m helped them cut their three-year losses to £313.5m in their most recent accounts, but they remain well above the £105m mark and were charged by the Premier League for the crossing the limit in March.

The other clubs are angry that last summer’s spending was allowed, and intend to seek compensation if Everton stays up after being told no sporting sanctions will apply this season.

As Mail Sport revealed yesterday, the clubs have applied to the Premier League to speed up Everton’s disciplinary hearing, but this request was rejected by the independent committee that will hear the case.