Everton, a stalwart in the Premier League, is grappling with significant challenges, both on and off the pitch.
Reports indicate that the Merseyside club faces the looming threat of a substantial 12-point deduction from the Premier League if found culpable of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. The league authorities are purportedly advocating for a stringent penalty in response to alleged violations by the club.
The specter of a 12-point deduction poses a dire scenario for Everton, especially considering their lackluster on-field performance, which already puts them at risk of losing valuable points. The potential penalty comes at a precarious juncture for the club, which has narrowly avoided relegation in the past two seasons.
While a final decision is not expected before the year’s end, the ramifications of a 12-point deduction would be profound.
The accusations leveled against Everton revolve around FFP violations, with the Premier League claiming that the club reported losses of £371.8 million, surpassing the stipulated limit of £105 million.
The severity of the penalty will be determined by an independent panel currently assessing Everton’s case.
Everton vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserting compliance with FFP regulations. The club attributes its substantial financial losses, in part, to exceptional circumstances such as the pandemic.
Amid these challenges, Everton’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, is actively engaged in negotiations for the club’s potential acquisition by the American private investment firm 777 Partners. The impending sale, however, hinges on successfully clearing the Premier League’s “fit and proper persons test.”
The independent commission is expected to reach a decision on Everton’s case by the end of 2023. The uncertainty surrounding the potential penalty introduces a cloud of instability over the club, impacting team morale and the overall outlook.
Examining the potential impact on the Premier League standings, Everton currently occupies the 16th position after a recent defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. The Toffees have accumulated only seven points despite sporadic signs of improvement with victories over Brentford and Bournemouth.
A 12-point deduction would plummet Everton to -5 points, placing them perilously close to the relegation zone. While they would be ten points adrift of safety, the club’s position above the last-placed Sheffield United would remain by a slim margin of six points.
The challenging stretch ahead, featuring fixtures against West Ham United, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City, could exacerbate Everton’s predicament by Boxing Day.
The uncertainty surrounding the potential penalty casts a shadow over the club’s immediate future, with repercussions extending beyond the playing field.
