Everton are in deep relegation trouble to the Premier League after they were docked an extra two points for a second breach of spending rules.
The Toffees are currently just two points clear of the top three with seven games remaining, although they’ve one game in hand against each of the three teams below them – Nottingham Forest, Luton and Burnley – and are 11 points clear of those in bottom of the table – at the Sheffield United table.
In this text, the PA news agency takes a more in-depth take a look at their plight.
What happened?
An independent commission deducted two points from Everton’s tally after the club admitted breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules for the three-year cycle ending in 2022/23, leaving Everton with 27 of 31 matches.
Haven’t we been here before?
Yes. The Merseyside club were handed an unprecedented 10-point penalty in November after they were found to have “taken a chance” on the PSR. Their losses for the three-year period to 2021-22 were £124.5m, which is £19.5m above the threshold, which even includes provisions for the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, they dropped to nineteenth place, but in February after a successful appeal the penalty was reduced to 6 points, after which they climbed to fifteenth place.
What are PSRs?
These are the rules governing the club’s maximum allowed losses. Typically, top-flight clubs can lose as much as £105 million over the three-year assessment period without committing a breach.
How much above the limit were Everton?
The club exceeded the spending limit during the period by £16.6 million. During the three-day hearing, the committee considered the mitigating aspects cited by Everton but ultimately decided that a two-point penalty, which might take effect immediately, was appropriate.
What were their arguments?
The Goodison Park team opposed further punishment, pointing to “the concept of a double penalty, the significant mitigating circumstances faced by the club in relation to the war in Ukraine and the high level of cooperation and the club’s previous admission of infringement.”
What did Everton say?
The club signaled each its intention to appeal and its commitment to “cooperate” with the league on PSR matters, while also expressing concern about “the inconsistency of the various commissions in terms of point deductions applied.”
Would that be the end of the matter?
Probably not. The independent commission was unable to make your mind up whether there had been an extra breach of the £6.5 million costs and an extra hearing can be held. This matter can be heard at an unspecified date and any resulting penalties will likely be imposed next season.
Are they alone?
NO. Last month, Forest were deducted 4 points for exceeding the permitted £61m total of £34.5m – £22m is deducted from the £105m cap for each season spent outside the Premier League during the qualifying period – plus an extra two points discounted to reflecting their previous request and cooperation. Sky Bet Championship leaders Leicester, who’ve since seen a pre-tax lack of £89.7 million for the yr ending June 30, 2023, were last month referred by the Premier League to the Independent Premier League Commission over alleged breaches.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk