The Premier League relegation fight has been thrown into chaos as an ongoing investigation threatening a further Everton points deduction will extend beyond this season.
Everton were hit with a further two point sanction on Monday – taking their year’s total to eight docked points for breaching English football’s profit and sustainability rules – but will go into the summer under the shadow of another penalty after the Premier League confirmed unresolved issues in the club’s latest disciplinary hearing.
Those in a fight against relegation with Everton will be especially concerned that a retrospective punishment will be too late in the event of the Merseyside club staying up at others’ expense.
In a written submission explaining their decision, an independent commission on behalf of the Premier League revealed they were delaying judgement on a key facet of the case related to breaches up to June 2023.
“At a later time, the commission will determine whether there has been any further breach of the PSR,” the report stated.
The unresolved dispute relates to interest payments on loans which Everton insist are paying for their new stadium on Liverpool’s docks, but the Premier League argues have been used for the day-to-day the running of the club.
Everton would be permitted to incur such costs for a major infrastructure project, but not to subsidise other expenditure such as club salaries.
The commission acknowledged the delay reaching a conclusion on that aspect of the case will frustrate ‘many stakeholders interested in the speedy determination of these disciplinary proceedings’.
“In fairness to the parties in these proceedings, the commission decided that the issues which remain cannot be dealt with in accordance with the timetable set out in the Standard Directions,” the commission concluded.
It means even if Everton avoid relegation this season, they must fend off further punishment with another commission hearing expected this summer.
The club’s immediate priority is remaining in the Premier League, their prospects dealt another blow as Sean Dyche’s side dropped to 16th in the table, two points above third-bottom Luton Town.
Everton will appeal in the next seven days, with the hearing date for the two point deduction arranged for May 24 at the latest. The Premier League season ends on May 18th, raising the possibility of relegation being decided by an independent commission should Everton finish in the bottom three by one or two points, only to be given those points back.