Everton fans have slammed the Premier League for “inconsistency” in sanctions imposed for breaches of the league’s financial rules.
On Monday, an independent committee deducted two points from the club for overspending under the league’s Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) rules for the period ending within the 2022-23 season.
Everton will appeal against the sanction, having already been handed a 10-point penalty last November for a PSR breach covering a period until the 2021-22 season, reduced to 6 points on appeal.
Nottingham Forest were handed a four-point sanction last month for breaching PSR rules, which can also be subject to appeal.
A press release from Everton’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) highlighted 4 different outcomes from the committee’s hearings up to now, arguing they left supporters “with more questions than answers”.
“The only consistency throughout is inconsistency,” he added in an announcement.
“It was clear from the outset that Everton Football Club had a case to answer, but the only certainty we have is that the PL has failed to ensure that its own rules are governed transparently, fairly and effectively.”
The Premier League doesn’t have a sanctioning framework for PSR breaches. Clubs – including Everton – selected to not introduce one when the problem was discussed on the 2020 meeting.
It was then decided that a rigid system of fixed sanctions would take away the discretion of the independent commissions and wouldn’t allow the commissions sufficient flexibility in considering aggravating and mitigating aspects. It was also felt that giving clubs less certainty concerning the sanctions they may face acted primarily as a stronger deterrent to breaking the foundations.
Top-flight clubs are currently working on latest financial rules that can ultimately replace the PSR, which might be approved as early because the league’s annual general meeting in June.
The FAB statement also criticized the league for what it sees as “passivity” regarding the club’s proposed takeover by US investment firm 777 Partners.
This, combined with a noticeable inconsistency in sanctions, meant the league “brought a tangible level of sporting interference to Everton’s doorstep,” the FAB said.
The FAB also criticized the commission’s ruling that the FAB and its impact statement lacked standing within the case.
“The decision of the PL Independent Commission to refuse to take into account the views and influence of fans cannot be further from the Premier League’s rhetoric about the importance and value of fan input,” the FAB statement continued.
“It raises real concerns that PL continues to undermine the trust and good faith of football’s greatest asset – the fans.”
The committee said in its written reasons that it could not be appropriate to sign an impact statement, adding: “It would in principle be inappropriate for Everton FAB’s views to influence the suitable sanction, particularly in circumstances where fans of other clubs would undoubtedly have different views and ask us to for consideration.”
The FAB statement reiterated calls for the independent football regulator, which is because of meet for second reading in parliament after the Easter break, to have the obligatory powers to oversee such matters.
However, the federal government has repeatedly stressed that setting the Premier League competition rules will remain the responsibility of the Premier League even after the regulatory body comes into force.
Under standard PSR guidelines, Everton’s appeal hearing must end no later than May 24 – that’s, after the last round of matches scheduled for May 19.
The results of an appeal against a two-point deduction should be announced before the ‘safety date’ of June 1, meaning the league table could also be updated again a while after the last ball is kicked.
The committee, which imposed the two-point penalty on Monday, may even need to resolve a dispute between the club and the league over the status of a number of the costs the club claims are related to constructing a brand new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, although this element falls outside the usual guidance and due to this fact doesn’t must be resolved before June 1.
The Premier League has been contacted for comment.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
