Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-08 14:33:11
Everton received an additional two-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), bringing their total penalty to eight points. This places the Merseyside club just two points above the relegation zone with seven games left in the season.
The decision was made by an independent commission after a three-day hearing last month. The commission considered Everton’s admitted breach of £16.6 million in the 2022/23 season and the impact of their previous PSR charges. Ultimately, they determined that a two-point deduction was the appropriate sanction.
The Premier League stated that any breach of the PSRs is significant and warrants a sporting sanction. Everton reported a loss of £89.1 million for the 2022/23 season, a substantial increase from the previous season’s deficit of £44.7 million. The club attributed this increase to the indefinite suspension of sponsorship deals with key commercial partners.
The original six-point penalty imposed earlier in the season was due to PSR breaches during the 2021/22 campaign. Under the PSR regulations, clubs can only lose a maximum of £105 million over a three-season period before facing sanctions.
Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri remains optimistic about the completion of the club’s takeover by 777 Partners. Everton is planning to move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025/26 season.
Despite expressing their discontent with the latest penalty, Everton announced that they would appeal the decision. The club highlighted various issues, including the concept of double punishment, mitigating circumstances related to the war in Ukraine, and their cooperation and admission of the breach.
Everton emphasized their commitment to working with the league on PSR matters but expressed concern over the inconsistency in point deductions across different commissions. They have begun preparations to appeal the commission’s decision.
In their upcoming matches, Everton will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before hosting Nottingham Forest, who have also received a four-point PSR penalty, on April 21. As they navigate through this challenging period, Everton will strive to secure their Premier League status and address the financial implications of the PSR breaches.
