The Everton Fan Advisory Board have issued a new statement following the verdict from the second Independent Commission into Everton’s breaches of Premier League Profitabillity and Sustainability Rules, criticising the inconsistency and opacity of the sanctions framework.
Everton were deducted two more points, this time for an accepted breach of £16.6m for the 3 years ending with 2023-24 financial year, having been docked 10 points in November for a breach of £19.5m for the 4-year period ending with 2022-23 financial year, with that sanction reduced to six following an appeal.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, had only four points taken off them for a breach of £35m.
The representative body released the following today:
Following yesterday’s announcement by the Premier League (PL), this season has now led to four different Profit & Sustainability (PSR) cases, heard by four different commissions, with four different outcomes, leaving football supporters with more questions than answers. The only consistency throughout has been the inconsistency.
From the outset, it has been made clear that Everton Football Club has a case to answer, however, the only certainty we have is the PL’s failure to provide transparent, fair and effective regulation of its own rules.
Combined with their apparent inaction regarding the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT), the PL has brought a palpable level of sporting interference to Everton’s doorstep.
The PL Independent Commission’s decision to refuse to consider the views and impact on supporters could not be further from the Premier League’s rhetoric about the importance and value of fan input. It raises real concern that the PL continues to erode the trust and good faith of football’s biggest asset –
supporters.As legislation for a new Independent Regulator progresses through Parliament, we call upon the entire football family to unite in ensuring that this body possesses the requisite authority to oversee our game properly. We will be engaging with political leaders at the earliest opportunity to seek their continued support on this matter.
In the meantime, we will continue to consult with and update our fellow Evertonians while we further analyse the findings of the Independent Commission and deliberate on our next steps, as the club considers its appeal.
Everton Fan Advisory Board
9 April 2024