Everton have issued a strongly-worded statement following Burnley's successful legal dispute, which could cost the club millions. The Clarets' claim argued that had Everton's initial six-point deduction in 2023/24 been applied in 2022, Everton would have been relegated and Burnley would have remained in the Premier League.
The Blues have been ordered to pay compensation and interest exceeding £35 million. Everton's statement expressed surprise and anger at the decision by a Premier League Independent Disciplinary Commission to order a compensation payment to Burnley regarding Everton's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach in June 2022.
Everton's Response
Everton has appealed the decision, asserting that the ruling is fundamentally flawed in law and fact. The club stated: 'The club does not recognise the findings of the panel in determining Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League in May 2022 was caused by a sporting advantage gained by Everton due to a breach of Profit & Sustainability Rules, for which a substantive sporting sanction has already been received.'
The club further argued that the ruling sets a 'dangerous and unworkable precedent' for English football, as it suggests a club can be in breach of financial rules at any point in a financial year. Everton believes the panel misrepresented the clear evidence presented by its legal representatives and expects the appeal to succeed.
Future Compliance
Everton confirmed its ongoing PSR compliance and noted that the Premier League has clarified that this ruling should not lead to any future PSR sanction. The club assured fans that ownership remains focused on returning Everton to the top echelon of English football. No further comment will be made until the appeal process concludes.
