January 16 – Already reeling from a 10-point deduction, Everton, one of the most iconic names in English football, could be facing another costly punishment for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.
They and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Premier League for a breach of their profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) – the equivalent of financial fair play – relating to the 2022-23 season.
The bombshell announcement stunned the two clubs, both of which are embroiled in a relegation battle, and threatens to plunge their Premier League status into severe doubt. Everton have been in the top flight for 69 years while Forest gained promotion back to the Holy Grail in May, 2022.
Everton have already been deducted 10 points this season for exceeding the allowable loss thresholds at the end of the 2021/22 campaign. The Merseyside club are appealing against that sanction, which ranks as the biggest points sanction in Premier League history.
“Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR),” a Premier League statement said.
“This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23. In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the Judicial Panel, who will appoint separate Commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.”
Premier League regulations allow clubs to lose a maximum of £105 million over a three-season period, or £35 million per campaign.
“Everton can assure its fans that it will continue to defend its position during the ongoing appeal and, should it be required to do so, at any future commission – and that the impact on supporters will be reflected as part of that process,” the Merseyside club said.
Forest were in the second-tier Championship until 2022, where clubs are permitted a maximum loss of £39 million across three seasons, or £13 million pounds per season, meaning their permissible losses over the last three campaigns would add up to £61 million.
Upon their promotion ahead of the 2022-23 season, Forest broke the record for most transfers (21) by a Premier League club in the close-season window.
Earlier this year, Manchester City were also referred to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules since the club were acquired by the Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group in 2008. No verdict has been reached in that case.
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