MP slams Premier League for Everton and Manchester City saga
Everton have the sympathy of Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage after two points deductions this season, with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair saying a “two-tier system” is in action.
The Toffees had eight points chalked off their overall Premier League tally (reduced from a possible 12) for financial fair play breaches in the last two seasons, but Manchester City’s 115 charges for similar discrepancies are still being investigated.
Sean Dyche’s side managed to stave off relegation by a 14-point margin, but at the other end of the table, City’s charges mean a fourth successive title win has come under somewhat of a cloud.
Speaking to The House, Dinenage said “It’s taking too long and feels unfair to teams like Everton for whom the decisions have been already made and the penalties have already been handed out.
“Everton have taken points deduction, they’ve taken punishment, and meanwhile Man City, who’ve got a whole rack of allegations against them, are tied up in red tape that could go on for years.
“It does sometimes feel like there’s some kind of two-tier system. When the boss of the Premier League came and gave evidence to the select committee, he spoke about ‘big clubs’ and ‘small clubs’.”
Everton ready for another summer of financial uncertainty
Everton may have comfortably survived the threat of relegation this season, but that’s not done much to ease the monetary worries surrounding the club in recent months.
Their two-point deductions for FFP breaches last season came as a result of their 2021-22 and 2022-23 annual accounts, and to avoid another charge, the club must find money, quickly.
That will most likely come in the form of player sales, with high-value assets like Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana tipped to leave Goodison Park for fees which would greatly ease the financial burden.
Long-term striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin may also be sold if he cannot agree a new contract beyond the end of next season, facilitating further funds for Dyche to bring in cut-price replacements.
At the top, owner Farhad Moshiri appears no closer to selling the Blues.
His persistence with US investment firm 777 Partners has only ever gone in circles since first initiating talks eight months ago, and unless a suitable buyer enters the fray, Everton’s financial horror – much like a verdict on Manchester City’s 115 charges – don’t look like coming to an end any time soon.
In other Everton news, a European club is open to selling their centre-back for £21million as Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer development has emerged.
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