Everton’s Financial Fair Play hearing ‘cannot be expedited’ despite pressure from Premier League rivals to bring forward potential sanctions.
Everton face potential punishment as part of an ongoing investigation into the club’s finances, with the Premier League having charged the Toffees with breaching its rules for the period ending season 2021/22.
The case has been referred to an independent commission and Everton could face the prospect of a points deduction, if found guilty. The Merseyside club remain confident that the club will be cleared of any breaches.
Given no case has previously been heard in the Premier League, there are no set sanctions for the alleged breaches. However, the Times are reporting that several sides have failed in a push to bring forward potential punishment for Everton, with relegation rivals Leeds United, Southampton, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest having requested sanctions are imposed before next season.
Everton are 17th in the Premier League table and just a point above the relegation places. A potential points deduction could be decisive in determining the division’s bottom three.
However, the Premier League has issued a response and have said the process cannot be expedited due to the demands of outside parties. FFP cases in the Championship have previously taken between 18 months and two years to reach a verdict.
