Everton and Premier League could now face legal action over new hearing and further sanctions
Everton and the Premier League could now face the risk of legal challenges over the relegation battle after the latest commission hearing decision, The Esk has claimed.
The Toffees blogger reacted via Twitter on 8 April after the news that the club has been stripped of two more points, but still face another hearing to settle the ongoing dispute with the league over whether costs related to the new stadium build should be counted for profit and sustainability purposes or not.
The same commission is set to reconvene and decide on that at a later date, with further punishment potentially being added, but as it can’t be dealt with using the expedited process and will go past the end of the season [BBC Sport, 8 April] The Esk has raised the prospect of legal disputes down the line from relegated sides if the situation then changes subsequently.
He wrote: “So PL’s position re the capitalisation of interest costs won’t be reached until after the season ends. A change of decision post season end may leave all parties open to legal charges if another club has been relegated because of this decision which is then subsequently altered.”
Everton mess gets more complicated after points deduction
It is incredible how every answer received within the saga engulfing the Toffees still brings with it more questions and more uncertainty.
Somehow, despite the Premier League changing the rules in an attempt to see sanctions imposed within the same campaign as a breach, and saddling Everton with two in one season as a result, that situation has still apparently arisen anyway.
Both Everton and the league have been the focus of fury from Leeds United, Burnley, Leicester City, Southampton and Nottingham Forest previously after last season’s breach ultimately sanctioned until long after the relegation battle had been concluded.It is currently unclear whether that threat has gone away or is potentially still being addressed privately, but a new mess along similar lines involving this season’s relegation rivals is the last thing any of the involved parties needs.
Forest have since been charged and punished in the top flight while the relegated Foxes face penalties in both the Premier League and the Championship, so whether that has reduced their appetite to take action against Everton or not it further illustrates how much of a mess the entire financial situation is in English football.
And for one of the key arguments that have been central to the Toffees PSR breaches, interest payments on loans for the stadium build, to be left unsettled by a commission which has made half a decision makes the expedited process worthless.
So, wildly, Everton could now go into next season facing a third points deduction from the second go round with this panel, and possibly a fourth for breaching the current rules for a third period running, all while those rules are no longer even in effect as they are set to be replaced.
In other Everton news, Sean Dyche’s dismissive claim about the Toffees is now haunting him at Goodison Park.
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