Everton’s Financial Violations Result in Unprecedented Punishment

The English Premier League has docked Everton FC 10 points for violations of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, formerly known as Financial Fair Play. It’s the largest points deduction in league history and the first punishment in the top flight of English football handed out relating to profitability and sustainability rules — but it might not be the last.

An independent commission hired by the EPL found that Everton lost £124.5 million ($155 million) in the period ending with the 2021-22 season; under PSR, clubs are only allowed to record losses of up to £105 million ($130.8 million). 

The sanction has immediate effect, meaning Everton instantly dropped into 19th place and the relegation zone of the Premier League table. 

“Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission,” the club said in a statement. “The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League.

“The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.”

The last part is particularly pointed given pending decisions against Chelsea FC — and perhaps more notably, Manchester City FC. 

In February, the Premier League officially charged City with over 100 counts of financial violations dating back as far as 2009. 

As with Everton, the EPL referred the cases to an independent commission, which has to be feeling the pressure to make a decision. With the precedent now set and the impending violations much more severe, Chelsea and City could be facing punishment as far as relegation or titles being stripped.