According to Martyn Ziegler, the Premier League is updating its Financial Fair Play rules amid anger among clubs over how long it will take to charge Everton.
Everton were referred to an independent commission in March for allegedly breaching FFP rules in the 2021-22 campaign.
Relegation rivals Leeds United, Southampton, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest wanted the case to be heard before the end of last season, but it will instead be dealt with at the end of October.
Writing for The Times [6 September], Ziegler stated that the decision did not go down well with those teams and the rules will now be updated.
“The Premier League has brought in new rules to fast-track financial disciplinary cases following anger among clubs that Everton’s charge was not dealt with last season,” Ziegler said.
“The new regulations say the process for any club charged with a standard financial rule breach must be completed within 12 weeks, including an appeal, so that any points deductions apply to the season in which the rule breach takes place.
“The rules mean any club this season that breaks the top flight’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which restrict losses over three seasons to £105million, will have the sanction imposed before the end of the campaign.”
Under the updated rules, the process for any club charged with a financial rule breaches will be completed within 12 weeks.
That means any points deduction, which Everton were threatened with last season, would kick in that campaign.
Had that been the case last season, the Toffees – had they been found guilty of breaches – may well have dropped down into the Championship.
It remains to be seen what punishment, if any, is passed down to Everton when the case is heard towards the end of next month.
As The Guardian reported on 14 June, there is likely to be further fallout as Leicester, Leeds and Southampton are preparing legal action.
It makes for a further unwanted distraction for Everton in what is shaping up to be another serious relegation battle this season.
Let’s just hope for a positive outcome both on and off the field once the dust settles.