“When six clubs conspired towards the ruination of English football for their selfish ends, the Premier League knew exactly what to do,” writes Martin Samuel. “It fined the European Super League rebels £22 million, collectively. So, roughly £3.66 million each for a plot that would have destroyed our domestic game. That showed them.
“Yet if Everton are proved to have contravened profit and sustainability rules, the same body is pushing for a 12-point deduction. So, pretty much, relegation.
“Why did Everton misspend their finances? Because they were trying to compete. Oligarchs, sovereign wealth funds and American venture capitalist groups have raised the bar for investment so high that Mike Ashley — a man with a net worth of £3.84 billion according to the Sunday Times Rich List — felt he could not participate as Newcastle United owner. So in came a sovereign wealth fund, and now they’re in the mix. But that doesn’t make it any easier for Everton.”