The Premier League is investigating Everton for a possible violation of Financial Fair Play regulations, as relays the DailyRecord.
An independent commission will be formed to investigate the matter. Everton is one of six teams that have been in the Premier League continuously. However, their position in the league has been uncertain in recent years, and they narrowly avoided relegation in the 2021/22 season.
This year, they are in a precarious position, currently only two points ahead of the relegation zone, despite having played two more games than 18th-placed West Ham. Everton’s new ownership, led by Farhad Moshiri, has spent heavily on players like Gylfi Sigurdsson, Cenk Tosun, Yannick Bolasie and other players who flopped.
A Premier League statement has confirmed that Everton will be investigated independently, which could worsen their already dire situation. During last season’s relegation battle, Leeds and Burnley accused Everton of wrongdoing in their finances and lodged complaints with the league. Everton had recorded losses of £371.8 million over the past three years, which exceeded the £105 million limit allowed. Despite Leeds’ survival, both teams threatened legal action against Everton and the league. Ten months later, the Premier League has formed an independent commission to investigate Everton’s breach of sustainability rules.
The Premier League’s statement: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, 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 under Premier League Rule W.3.4. The assessment period for which it is alleged that the Club is in breach is the period ending Season 2021/22.
“Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
“The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website. The League will be making no further comment until that time.”