The recent stringent penalty imposed on Everton by the Premier League Commission has sparked discussions in the United Kingdom about its comparable severity in potential cases involving Manchester City and Chelsea. While Everton received a historic 10-point deduction for a single financial control violation, questions arise regarding the potential consequences for Manchester City, facing a staggering 115 cases.
Stefan Borson, a legal advisor to Manchester City, expresses concern about the precedent set by Everton’s punishment, suggesting that it could set the stage for severe repercussions, potentially even relegation, for City and Chelsea if proven guilty. The magnitude of Everton’s sanction prompts a reassessment of Chelsea’s approach to breaching Profit & Sustainability regulations, emphasizing the need for immediate reconsideration.
Martyn Ziegler while speaking to Skysports-report underscores the seriousness of the situation, speculating that relegation is a genuine risk for both Manchester City and Chelsea, especially considering the numerous and seemingly more severe charges against City. However, he acknowledges the complexity of these cases, foreseeing prolonged investigations that may extend for at least two years.
The Premier League’s lawyers allege that Manchester City failed to disclose the true origin of club revenue during a four-year investigation, claiming it came from sponsors rather than its Abu Dhabi owners.
Stefan Olson warns that Chelsea’s assumption of accepting fines as a business cost must be urgently reevaluated in light of the far-reaching implications.
Furthermore, Chelsea faces additional scrutiny from UEFA, which fined them 10 million euros for “failure to provide certain financial information” during Abramovich’s tenure. Leaked documents hint at potential breaches of financial rules, heightening concerns about the club’s compliance with league regulations from 2012 to 2019.
The severity of the situation is highlighted by the rarity of points deductions in Premier League history, with only Middlesbrough and Portsmouth facing such penalties, both leading to relegation. The evolving landscape suggests that the ramifications for Everton may be just the beginning of a larger and more intricate saga involving financial control in English football.