At the top of the Premier League everything is clear.
Inevitably, Manchester City are once again champions of the English Premier League. A win over second-placed Arsenal secured last weekend, and the two clubs have already secured four Champions League spots for next season, alongside Saudi-owned Newcastle United and City’s crosstown rivals Manchester United. there is
Drama is currently at the bottom of the table in England, with three clubs heading into the final day of the season in a high-stakes battle for league relegation this weekend, with one club’s finances soaring. An investigation is underway. These clubs, Everton, mean that whatever happens on the field may not be the final decision as to who gets relegated.
And that worries the Premier League.
This is the problem. Everton’s financial losses of £371.8m (around $460m) between 2018 and 2021 were more than three times the league-imposed cap. The Premier League in March accused the club of breaching cost control rules and appointed an independent arbitrator to investigate. Per league rules, only arbitrators are authorized to decide cases and address potential penalties.
But in the weeks that followed, rival clubs pressed for a decision before the start of next season. Those teams include, but are not limited to, those whose futures go hand in hand with Everton’s finish in the league. The teams are aware that potential deductions for financial breaches (if they arrive before the new season) could instead seal Everton’s relegation. themselves.
The Premier League, already under pressure to announce a verdict in another long-running lawsuit related to Manchester City spending, is quietly seeking a resolution. Premier League officials are lobbying the chairman of the independent commission to reach a decision ahead of next season, according to a person familiar with the internal discussions.
But Murray Rosen, the lawyer hired to oversee the rule-breaking case within the league, refused to rush, according to a person familiar with the exchange. He has even felt the need to remind league officials of the independence of the Premier League Judiciary Commission.
Both lawsuits come as English football prepares to introduce a government-appointed independent regulator, with the post allowing the Premier League to keep rulings on controversial issues in-house. threaten ability. Critics of the league argue that such regulators are needed to crack down on a growing group of owners from around the world, including nation-states with seemingly endless access to capital and lawyers. there is
For now, Everton’s focus is on avoiding the stigma (and potential financial ruin) of relegation, much like bottom-tier rivals Leicester City and Leeds United. Only one of the three clubs escaped that fate on Sunday, and Everton, who have been regulars in the Premier League since its inception in 1992, are now in a slight advantage. They are one point above Leicester and Leeds, two points above them and can finish high in the standings just by matching Sunday’s record.
For a relegated team, losing its place in the Premier League and tens of millions of dollars in revenue guaranteed by membership could be devastating. So-called parachute payments from the Premier League have helped cushion some of the economic losses for up to three seasons, but the effects of the new predicament have led to the eradication of club budgets, players, coaches and other staff. often lead to the resignation of member.
The prospect that fortunes could befall the club and then reverse has angered even Premier League teams not involved in this year’s relegation battle. A Premier League official recently expressed surprise that the allegations against Everton have so far gone unreported and the lack of urgency for a ruling. The official equated the financial rule violation accusation with doping.
The Premier League declined to comment on Everton’s investigation or efforts to reach an early conclusion. Everton are determined to fight any penalties that may come their way. When the Premier League charges were announced in March, the club said it was “ready to resolutely defend” its position before the commission.
But even without the threat of relegation, Everton are a club in turmoil. Owner Farhad Mosir, an Iranian-British businessman, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on players since buying the club, resulting in poor on-field performance and extensive publicity. The proposed stadium plan is in danger of being derailed due to lack of funds.a find a new ownerAnnounced earlier this year, so far no savior has been born.
Mosir’s longtime business partner, billionaire Alisher Usmanov, has been sanctioned by the UK government and the European Union for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, leading to financial difficulties for the club. got even worse. This has forced Everton to cut ties with companies associated with Usmanov, who have spent millions of dollars on projects such as a new stadium under construction by clubs and teams in recent years.
Everton fans have protested their ownership for much of the season, as they did last year when the team narrowly avoided relegation. At least once this season, Everton bosses have been advised not to attend a match by police.