On Friday, the Premier League officially announced that Everton had been awarded points -10 for financial breaches of the FFP code and are now 4 wins, 2 losses and 6 defeats (14-17) in the Premier League table with only 4 points left, dropping them to 19th and the relegation zone, only better than the same number of points but with worse gains and losses.
This is only the third time such capital punishment has been used in the history of the Premier League: the first time, in 1996/97 Middlesbrough were docked three points for a flu epidemic but failed to notify their opponents of the postponement in time. The knife cut them down to League One; the second time, Portsmouth were docked nine points for bankruptcy, but they were already bottom of the table on their original 28 points for the season.
It wasn't that long ago that the Toffees' account was one of the focal points of a lawsuit. This year, the Premier League brought charges against it and referred it to an Independent Commission of Inquiry for investigation. During the course of the investigation, Everton admitted to breaching the Premier League's version of FFP for the period 2019/20 to 2021/22, but there is still disagreement over the extent of the breach.
"After a five-day hearing last month, the Independent Commission of Inquiry (ICI) found that Everton had lost £124.5 million during the relevant period, in excess of the £105 million permitted under the Profits and Sustainability Rules (FFP/PSR). The Committee found that a points deduction of 10 points was warranted." The Toffees were also quick to post a message after receiving the penalty, arguing that the sanction imposed by the Independent Commission of Inquiry was 'wholly inappropriate and unfair' and stating that they had begun the appeals process.
Everton's 10-point capital punishment immediately caused a heated debate in the British media. Many fan commentators and neighbors of Liverpool voiced the unfairness: "Manchester City suffered 115 charges and still have no results; Everton suffered only one charge and therefore received such a harsh punishment". Of course, anyone who knows City's financial foul play is far more complex than the Toffees' and it is difficult to come to a full and fair conclusion and punishment in a short space of time.
Regardless of City's situation, why was Everton punished so harshly? So if the Toffees were severely sanctioned, what about City and Chelsea?
Let's break it down one by one and talk about it.
According to the Premier League announcement, Everton lost £124.5 million over the Premier League 'Relevant Period' (2019/20 to 2021/22), exceeding the £105 million allowed by FFP/PSR. Everton's breaches are not excessive in terms of the numbers in the books alone, which is one of the reasons why the Toffees are unhappy with the ruling. However, according to the British media, the Premier League believes that the FFP/PSR's loss license range is already so rich that the clubs' losses, let alone exceeding it 'shouldn't even come close to that figure'.
During the course of the investigation, Everton also said that the club had suffered huge losses due to a number of force majeure situations. For example, the Russo-Ukrainian war necessitated the abandonment of support from Russian sponsors, again losing £200 million in sponsorship. For example, due to the core player Gylfi, the club ÞórSigurðsson sexual abuse of children arrested and terminated the contract, affecting the performance and subsequent chain.
However, the Independent Commission of Inquiry (ICI) did not see it that way. Everton knew they could cross the line or chose to take a risk and therefore the Toffees had to be punished accordingly: 'Everton's desire to improve their on-field performance was understandable, but it led to them taking a risk by breaching the FFP/PSR and allowing the damage to exceed the standard. Everton themselves identified the problem in the stats and the consequences of exceeding the limit were severe. Iverton must take significant responsibility for his irresponsible behavior and the consequences."
Of course, many would argue that Everton are lucky enough to be under the same roof as Liverpool. How lucky Liverpool were and how unlucky Everton were. For example, in the 1985 Champions League decider at Hessle, Liverpool fans made a scene and got themselves and the whole of the Old English League capitalized by UEFA.BAN lost 6 seasons in Europe, and Everton were the subsequent 1986/87 Old English League champions that season.
Before and after, there were a lot of other good things that Alverton could barely catch up with, but most of the bad things came with points. Compared to this 10-point penalty from the Premier League, it's a mere pittance. However, Ivoryton did get very lucky in terms of relegation. If the sanction had happened in 2021/22 or 2022/23, it is likely that Alverton would now be struggling to survive in the EFL league (Championship EFL B), which survives with stricter finances and more frequent point deductions. News of Everton overtaking FFP/PSR but £20m being awarded points-10 poles in the Premier League came through. Many prominent fan commentators and neighboring Liverpool couldn't help but sympathize with the Toffees:City were charged with 115 financial irregularities probably nothing happened, Everton's check was points-10.
After two nightmare seasons, 2021/22 and 2022/23, Ivoryton have been under pressure this season under Seann at Dyche, and although he's played ugly, the pressure hasn't been as intense as it was in the last two seasons as the horses for promotion this season (Sheffield Utd and Luton, generally speaking) haven't been as strong. Ivoryton remained 14th in raw points before being docked points for the relegation zone.
