Liverpool fans will no doubt have been interested to learn of Everton’s points deduction following a breach of Financial Fair Play rules, although it is far from a morbid fascination of seeing the Reds’ neighbors relegated for many. That, in truth, is unlikely to happen anyway given how bad Luton, Sheffield United and Burnley have been so far.
Everton has been docked 10 points after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s FFP rules, resulting in the biggest deduction in the competition’s history (as per the ECHO). The verdict sees the Toffees drop to second from bottom in the table, two points from safety, although the club has made clear its intentions to appeal the decision.
For Liverpool, the ruling would perhaps not hold too much significance other than it being applied to its neighbors from across Stanley Park. But there is of course another club under investigation that holds much more impact.
Manchester City is still waiting for a verdict to be passed on it after it was charged with 115 violations over a nine-year period last year. The club says it has ‘irrefutable evidence’ to demonstrate its innocence.
Many Liverpool fans though will no doubt look at Everton’s case and expect a similar punishment for City. That might not be the case though, and it could be a long time before we hear any outcome.
Back in September, it was announced that Premier League clubs should be subject to swifter proceedings if they’re accused of committing financial rule breaches. That’s after the league updated its handbook to declare that any club that was charged with breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules (colloquially Financial Fair Play, or FFP) must receive a final verdict within 12 weeks, as reported by The Athletic.
That means an investigation, decision and potential appeal process would take place over a maximum period of three months. The aim behind the FFP changes is to ensure that any sanctions apply to the season in which the breaches have been committed.
It’s worth stressing though that ‘most exceptional cases’ are exempt from the new timeline. That includes the ongoing process involving City, which has been referred to an independent commission with no firm indication yet as to when a decision may be reached.
Everton’s case had also been referred to an independent commission by the Premier League back in March, although the nature of City’s case likely means we won’t be getting a verdict anytime soon.
Pep Guardiola’s side has won five of the last six Premier League titles, interrupted by Liverpool in 2019/20, and is bidding to become the first team in the competition’s history to land four in a row this term.
