Relegated club source speaks out about Everton financial issues after failed fast-track push
A source at one of the Premier League’s relegated clubs believes they should focus on their own matters rather than complain about the handling of the Everton Financial Fair Play situation, according to The Athletic’s Oliver Kay.
The Toffees have been charged by the competition with alleged breaches of its FFP rules, relating to last season.
Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton were among the clubs to write to the league in April asking to fast-track the case, but their request was denied.
“Leicester, Leeds and Southampton were among a group of clubs who wrote to the Premier League in April, urging them to fast-track the Everton case so any potential sanctions against them would be imposed this season rather than further down the line,” Kay wrote for The Athletic.
“The Premier League executive team shared that desire, feeling it was in the interests of the competition and all the clubs involved, including Everton, to get a resolution sooner rather than later. The commission responded by emphasising the process was independent and could not be fast-tracked according to the wishes of any party.
“There has been no word on the matter from Leicester, Leeds or Southampton in the three days since the season’s end. A source at one of the three relegated clubs said it felt like a moment to reflect quietly on their own shortcomings and lick their wounds rather than shouting from the rooftops about Everton.”
Tricky situation
If Everton do end up being sanctioned, it really will be a painful blow for Leicester, Leeds and Southampton, with one of those clubs certain to have stayed in the division had the Toffees been punished by a points deduction this season.
They will still feel aggrieved at having to wait to hear the final decision, but this latest development shows that at least one of the clubs is willing to focus on its own issues rather than those of another club, which is admirable.
Everton have a lot of problems to fix this summer, both on and off the pitch, but the same can be said for the Foxes, the Whites and the Saints, all of whom now have to try and deal with the massive blow of relegation.
It will sting, but they need to get their act together quickly in order to try and immediately bounce back to the top flight, which is much easier said than done.