The Premier League said today that they believe the Toffees have broken the FFP expenditure guidelines once more, and as a result, the club will be sent to the independent commission once more.
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This latest development is another major blow for Everton, and the last thing they need amid an already tumultuous season. The club faced a significant controversy in November with a ten-point penalty deduction following a review by the commission. This penalty resulted from a breach of financial rules, admitting to exceeding the limit by around £20 million in the previous financial cycle, largely attributed to new stadium costs kept in-house rather than borrowed.
While the details have been extensively discussed in recent months, the ten-point deduction was a massive punishment for a relatively modest overspend, particularly for the new stadium. This historic penalty left Everton joint-bottom, and although they rebounded with a four-game winning streak, they stumbled, losing three consecutive matches to end 2023.
After yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, Everton now finds themselves just a point above the relegation zone, intensifying the pressure. If the commission determines another breach of rules, the prospect of a substantial points deduction looms, jeopardizing their Premier League survival. Overcoming another eight, nine, or ten-point deduction would be incredibly challenging, especially considering the improved form of teams around them, notably Luton Town.
The larger issue lies in the flawed nature of this process. While other clubs face similar accusations, only Everton (and now Nottingham Forest) are under investigation by the commission. Manchester City, with around 115 charges, has not faced similar proceedings, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the process. The rules are set to be revised in the summer, potentially allowing clubs not charged this season to escape similar punishment.
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Already contesting the previous points deduction, Everton now faces the possibility of another, which, if applied this season, would be extremely difficult to overcome. The timeframe for a decision in April adds to the challenges, as an immediate points deduction would be ill-timed. The club has issued a statement defending its position, highlighting the overlap with the previously punished period.
Ultimately, the underlying issue revolves around the club’s mismanagement over the past four or five years. Despite initial optimism with Farhad Moshiri’s takeover, lavish spending on players and managers failed to revive Everton’s competitiveness, leading to the current predicament.
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