Nottingham Forest and Everton are on the brink of being hit with stringent penalties due to potential breaches of Financial Fair Play rules. The Premier League could subject both clubs to point deductions as part of the punishment.
Premier League financial regulations impose a firm control on clubs' financial behaviour. Failing to comply could lead to stern charges. Manchester City, for instance, managed to dodge penalties in the past, despite allegations against them.
Evidence suggests that Everton and Nottingham Forest might have exceeded the allowed expenditure limits during the 2019-2023 period. As per the Premier League's standard procedure, the cases have now been forwarded to the chairman of the judicial panel.
The Judicial Process
The chairman of the judicial panel is responsible for setting up independent commissions. The task of these commissions is to investigate the situation and decide on suitable punishments. It's worth noting that these commissions function independently of both the Premier League and its member clubs.
The whole process, including hearings, takes place behind closed doors. Nonetheless, the Premier League makes the final verdicts public through their official website.
Fallout for the Clubs
Both clubs could be staring at the frightening prospect of relegation. Everton, in particular, has been down this road before, suffering a 10-point deduction for a similar issue in the past. This time too, the hammer could come down hard on them.
A verdict is likely to be announced in early April. The decision has the potential to stir up the Premier League, posing a significant challenge for the clubs involved.
Club’s Response
On January 15, 2024, Everton communicated its stance on the issue via their official Twitter account.