By Dan Carter
Everton could be a month away from a potential points deduction, with the hearing over their alleged breach of profit and sustainability regulations to be heard by an independent commission on 25 October.
The Toffees are alleged to have broken the Premier League’s P&S rules, with reports suggesting that the charge relates to a tax issue surrounding loans for the Premier League club’s new Stadium on Bramley Moore Doc [The Times, 15 June].
Everton have denied any wrongdoing, but should they be found guilty of breaching the rules they could be set to face a points deduction that could pose a serious blow to their fight against relegation, as previously predicted by Richard Keys (7 August).
The former Sky Sports host predicted on his website that the Toffees would once again struggle this year and could well face the drop to the Championship as a “possible points deduction could relegate them.”
Although it is early in the Premier League season, Sean Dyche’s side have struggled for form, picking up only one point in their opening four matches and sitting 18th in the table, only above Luton Town and Burnley who have played one fewer game.
Dangerous times
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Everton cannot afford to receive a points deduction as it would almost ensure their drop to the Championship as they look like they could well be in trouble even if they are found not guilty of their alleged financial irregularities.
Throughout the transfer window, they seem to have been more focused on raising funds rather than buying new players, allowing Alex Iwobi to depart to join Fulham, and looking for a potential suitor for Andre Gomes all on top of Demari Gray’s imminent move to Saudi Arabia.
Hopefully, enough has been done to ensure that Everton have remained within the limits of the FFP restrictions and the club’s confidence in their financial situation being stable hasn’t been misguided as a points deduction would be yet another blow to an already downtrodden fanbase.
It will be an anxious month until the hearing with the independent commission and there is no doubt that the Toffees will be looking for further ways to raise funds, whether on or off the pitch. Hopefully, enough will be done to prevent Keys’ prediction from becoming reality.
In other Everton news, Sean Dyche has admitted that he didn’t want to lose Iwobi this summer