Everton fear fresh sanction over second breach of Premier League spending rules
Premier League clubs will discover on Monday if they face charges for breaching profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) – with Everton and Nottingham Forest believed to be most at risk.
Everton sources stressed to i that they have not yet been made aware of any Premier League decision but there are fears that they will be face a second sanction for breaching the limit of £105m losses over a three-year rolling cycle.
Like all 20 Premier League clubs they had to submit their 2022-23 accounts by 31 December, with any charges to be communicated within 14 days.
Clubs informed of charges on Monday will face an independent commission before the end of the season and could face a range of punishments including points deductions, fines or a transfer embargo.
Everton are already appealing a seperate 10-point deduction levied against them last year for breaking the PSR – with that appeal also expected to be heard before the end of the campaign.
The club believe they have a strong case to at least reduce the severity of the punishment, which has left them in 17th place in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest’s spend of around £250m since securing promotion to the Premier League has put them at risk of a breach – although it has been reported that the club will argue the £47.5m sale of Brennan Johnson to Spurs after the end of the cut off point for this year’s accounts is mitigation for their losses.
For Everton the contentious issue appears to be around interest on loans secured to pay for their new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock. i understands they would rigorously defend any new charge.
If charges are brought by the Premier League it would ramp up the debate around financial fair play rules, with critics arguing they are increasingly not fit for purpose.
Even if the charges are proven by an independent commission, clubs are permitted to appeal. And there is a nightmare scenario for the Premier League where multiple disputed points deductions will impact the relegation fight – and leave the identity of the demoted teams uncertain until after appeals have been heard.
