Everton have accused the Premier League of harbouring a ‘deficiency’ in its profit and sustainability regulations after being hit with a new charge. On Monday, the league revealed that the Toffees and fellow top-flight club Nottingham Forest had confirmed that they are in breach of financial rules.
Clubs are permitted to lose a maximum £105million across a given three-year period. Everton have already been punished for losing more than the allowed amount of money between 2019 and 2022.
The Merseyside outfit are appealing against the punishment, which included a 10-point penalty. They are yet to have that case heard and are arguing that a ‘deficiency’ in the rules means their argument would cover two seasons in the new breach.
“Everton Football Club acknowledges the Premier League’s decision to refer a breach of Profit & Sustainability rules (PSR) for the assessment period ending with the 2022/23 season to an independent Premier League commission,” a statement from the club read.
“This relates to a period which covers seasons 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23. It therefore includes financial periods (2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22) for which the club has already received a 10-point sanction. The club is currently appealing that sanction.
“The Premier League does not have guidelines which prevent a club being sanctioned for alleged breaches in financial periods which have already been subject to punishment, unlike other governing bodies, including the EFL. As a result – and because of the Premier League’s new commitment to deal with such matters “in-season” – the club is in a position where it has had no option but to submit a PSR calculation which remains subject to change, pending the outcome of the appeal.
“The club must now defend another Premier League complaint which includes the very same financial periods for which it has already been sanctioned, before that appeal has even been heard. The Club takes the view that this results from a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules.”
A Premier League statement read: “Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending Season 2022/23.
“In accordance with Premier League Rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the Judicial Panel, who will appoint separate Commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The proceedings are heard in private with the Commissions’ final decisions made public on the Premier League’s website. The League will make no further comment until that time.”
Everton were deducted 10 points in November for a single breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations. That charge related to seasons inclusive of 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.
The new charge relates to accounts from the 2022-23 campaign. Everton posted their accounts prior to the New Year.
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