Football: Premier League refers Everton for alleged financial breach
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Everton are on a three-game unbeaten run under manager Sean Dyche, while the club have been referred to an independent commission for an alleged breach of financial fair play rules.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – The English Premier League has referred Everton to an independent commission for an alleged breach of financial fair play rules for the 2021-22 season, it announced on Friday without giving details.
The Toffees, in response, said in a statement that the club were disappointed by the decision.
“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 said.
“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.”
Sky Sports reported that the commission will hear representations from both sides “in private and behind closed doors”. Thereafter, a judgment will be published on the Premier League website.
There is also reportedly a chance for an appeal from either side following a verdict.
Under Premier League rules, teams can make a maximum loss of £105 million (S$171.2 million) over three years, although special allowances were made for the Covid-19 pandemic. Everton, however, recorded a total loss of nearly £372 million over the past three years.
The club, owned by British-Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri, has attributed at least £170 million of that to the impact of the pandemic.
Both Burnley, relegated from English football’s top flight last season, and Leeds United wrote to the league last May to question whether Everton’s reported three-year losses breached financial rules.
“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,” said a statement from the league.
Financial fair play regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players, as well as ensuring sponsorship deals are genuine commercial agreements.
Champions Manchester City were in February charged with over more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules
Clubs found to have breached the rules risk points deductions, fines or reprimands.
There has yet to be any development regarding the City case in a process that could be long drawn.
Everton, managed by Sean Dyche after he replaced Frank Lampard in January, have played in the top flight since the 1954-55 season, but narrowly avoided relegation from the 20-team league last season, finishing 16th.
However, their 69-year unbroken stay among English football’s elite clubs remains at risk, as they are again fighting to stay up this term and are currently 15th, just three points clear of bottom side Southampton. REUTERS, AFP
