Everton’s Controversy Mocks Premier League: An In-Depth Analysis
The Premier League has been thrown into controversy once again as Everton received a two-point deduction for violating the profit and sustainability rules. This decision has left many questioning the fairness and consistency of how these breaches are handled.
The profit and sustainability rules (PSR) permit clubs to lose £105m over three years. Everton was found to have breached this threshold by £16.6m for the three-year period up to 2022-23. This violation has dropped Everton down to 16th place in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone.
This is not the first time Everton has faced punishment for PSR breaches. In February, they had a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal for the three-year period up to 2021-22. Nottingham Forest also faced a four-point deduction for PSR breaches in March and is awaiting the outcome of an appeal.
The uncertainty surrounding how these financial rule breaches are handled has led to criticism from Luton Town midfielder Andros Townsend. He believes that it “makes a mockery of the Premier League” and that the way points deductions are handed out “doesn’t make sense.” Townsend’s club, Luton Town, currently sits just inside the relegation zone and he emphasizes the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the hearings and appeals processes.
The timing of Everton’s appeal process is causing further uncertainty. The process may not be completed before the end of the season, potentially leaving clubs uncertain of their top-flight status after 19 May. The 2023-24 season remains ‘live’ until the annual general meeting in June when relegated clubs transfer their certificates. To provide some clarity, 24 May has been selected as a ‘backstop date’ for the appeals process to be concluded.
Peter MacFarlane, an Everton fan and host of The Blue Room podcast, believes that despite the disappointment of more points being deducted, this latest decision provides them with clarity. MacFarlane states, “at least we now know what we need to do to stay in the Premier League.” Everton will face crucial games against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Luton, as well as the Merseyside derby and a trip to Arsenal on the last day of the season.
The inconsistency in the punishment for PSR breaches has raised eyebrows among football finance experts. Kieran Maguire questions why Everton has received a higher points deduction than Nottingham Forest. Everton was deducted six points for the three-year period up to 2021-22, while Forest faced a four-point deduction for breaching the permitted threshold by a larger amount. The commission explains that Everton’s punishment is “justifiably higher” because they had exceeded the threshold in two consecutive financial years.
Everton has expressed their concern about the inconsistency of the punishments, with four different commissions issuing four different points deductions this season. This lack of consistency raises questions about the fairness of these decisions and further adds to the controversy surrounding PSR breaches in the Premier League.
As the season draws to a close, the uncertainty surrounding Everton’s appeal and the potential impact on their top-flight status remains. The Premier League must address these concerns and ensure that financial rule breaches are handled in a fair and consistent manner to maintain the integrity of the competition.