Everton may be victims of ‘politically motivated’ persecution from Premier League, rival clubs suspect
There is a feeling at some clubs that Everton may be victims of a “politically motivated” persecution after the Premier League’s decision to charge them with breaching spending rules at this time, according to the Daily Mail.
The Toffees were referred to an independent commission over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules, according to The Athletic [24 March] after a ten-month investigation which began when Burnley and Leeds wrote to the Premier League in May 2022. [The Guardian, 24 March]
But a report from the Daily Mail [25 March] revealed that many clubs are questioning the Premier League over their decision to charge Everton just nine months after insisting that they had no case to answer, with Richard Masters, the league’s chief executive is set to face MPs’ questions at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday (28 March).
The Toffees are reportedly “shocked” to be charged with spending breaches on Friday afternoon as they have been submitting all major financial transactions such as new signings and player contracts to the Premier League for approval for two years.
And the timing is not seen as at all coincidental, with the Daily Mail reporting: “There is a strong feeling at Everton and other clubs that the Premier League’s actions have been strongly influenced by a desire to show government that they are capable of enforcing their financial rules and regulating the sport as they seek to limit the scope of the new independent regulator, whose imminent arrival was confirmed in a White Paper issued last month.”
Why the change?
Clubs are right to question the Premier League’s sudden change in action as they previously claimed that the Toffees had no case to answer. What has led to this sudden action and why has it taken them this long?
If the Toffees had already explained that they’ve followed the rules with evidence for the last two years, then why has news emerged that the Blues have been referred to an independent commission for a supposed breach?
The club could be excused of being shocked if they have been working in conjunction with the league, only to have the rug swept out from under them.
There is a case to argue that the Premier League is trying to set an example of Everton in front of the interested parties in Westminster.
Farhad Moshiri and his board have led this club far enough down the path to disaster for it to be difficult to be entirely sure they haven’t made another mistake here, but if the league has thrown the Toffees under the bus for the purpose of looking tough to politicians it is just as bad.
Even if the Toffees are innocent of such charges, the fact they have referred them could well set a precedent for any club failing to adhere to the financial rules. It’s certainly a risky ploy by the Premier League, but one which could well highlight that they are increasingly frustrated at all these financial breaches even if Everton are innocent.
This definitely feels like a message urging clubs to get their houses in order or face serious consequences.