Everton Football Club have been referred to an independent commission in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1 for an alleged breach of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules in relation to their spending last season (2021/22).
Premier League authorities have been investigating Everton’s financial activities for over 10 months since Leeds United and Burnley wrote to them asking whether the club had broken the financial fair play rules.
The complaint from Leeds and a now-Championship team- Burnley claimed that Everton had recorded losses of £371.8 million over the last three years which is way above the maximum of £105 million allowed under the Premier League profitability and sustainability rules. The two “whistle-blower” clubs indicated their right to make legal claims against the Premier League and Everton in their letter.
Now, the Premier League has released a statement that confirms Everton’s referral to an independent commission that will hear the proceedings and determine an appropriate punishment if found guilty.
“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 Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4. The assessment period for which it is alleged that the Club is in breach is the period ending Season 2021/22,” the statement seen by this site reads.
It continues; “The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, 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’s website. The League will be making no further comment until that time.”
According to the Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, a club that makes losses exceeding the allowed maximum of £105 million over three years can be fined or deducted points. Everton are currently 15th on the Premier League table with just two points from safety and a point deduction at this stage of the competition would ideally mean relegation.
Everton have denied the allegations! They are disappointed, and are prepared to defend themselves against any wrongdoing, according to a statement they released on their official website.
“Everton Football Club is disappointed to hear of the Premier League’s decision to refer an allegation of a breach of Profit & Sustainability regulations to an independent commission for review.
“The club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts, is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations.
“Everton is prepared to robustly defend its position to the commission. The club has, over several years, provided information to the Premier League in an open and transparent manner and has consciously chosen to act with the utmost good faith at all times.”
Everton are the second Premier League team to be referred to the independent commission over an alleged breach of Premier League Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, with Manchester City facing the same allegations early last month.
