A Premier League in turmoil!
We all know FIFA’s rules on Financial Fair Play. What is not known to many is the Commission that oversees the Profit & Sustainability Rules for the Premier League. It is an independent ruling body that examines the finances of all the clubs. And last week they made a decision that put Everton in trouble, and shook the foundation of the championship to the core. That being said, it actually made things a lot more interesting for the punters and the top Asian and European bookmakers, as it opens new opportunities. However, the case is much deeper, as, if this decision stands, then two more clubs are threatened.
The decision that placed Everton in trouble
One of the rules stipulates that a club is allowed only a certain amount in losses during three consecutive financial years. The figure is 285 million Euros. According to the financial statements of the Toffees, they present a total damage of 425,000,000 €, and that’s a lot higher. The Committee issued charges on the club and after a 5-day hearing held last month, on Friday Nov 18, the announced the punishment. 10 points would be deducted from Everton bringing them down to the second to last position. The decision is immediately applicable, regardless of the right to appeal.
According to the statement issued, the penalty was imposed because the Toffees did not act in good faith. A fact that the club challenges. As per the release that they issued on the subject, they already filed an appeal which will be discussed at a later date by an Appeal Board that will be appointed for this case specifically. They also stated that they consider the punishment unfair, disproportionate and one that placed Everton in trouble without reason.
If it stands then the problem is wider
The decision of the board will have a lot further ramifications than just Everton. The Commission has already set a legal precedent on the subject. And they intend to continue down this line with the hearings for the reigning champions Manchester City and Chelsea. The charges for them are a lot more serious and, if the aforementioned punishment is an indication, they are threatened with immediate relegation!
To be more specific, the Citizens are called to answer for a total of 115 charges for financial irregularities and violations of the Rules. For the Blues, the allegations have to do with off-book payments carried out during the Roman Abramovic administration. In fact, the rumor is, that some of them could be taken to the level of breaking the sanctions against Russia for the war with Ukraine. If that comes to pass, it will produce other sorts of penalties, beyond those imposed by any sporting authorities. And that places the troubles for Everton in a somewhat lower pedestal.
The Premier League upside down
If all three cases end up negatively for the clubs, it will be most interesting to see what kind of penalties will be imposed. The Sky Blues are also the current leaders followed closely by Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa. A possible relegation needs to be specified. More precisely, it needs to be determined if the clubs that were defeated so far, will get the points they lost. And if this will be the case, then the entire standings will change radically.
Chelsea are tenth on the board and the distribution of the points for their 4 wins and 4 draws will also carry a great impact. It may even be that the Toffees will get back the points of the penalty to them, if the other two clubs are relegated. And that will take care of the trouble that Everton is in. The re-shuffling will not affect the top so much, as the Gunners defeated the Citizens and the Reds haven’t played with them yet. However, both teams will get an additional 2 points from the draws they had with Chelsea.
For the betting world, this is actually a piece of good news as opposed to the fans and the rest of the sporting industry. Such irregularities should not happen, and when they do, then they should be punished accordingly. That being said, the status of the league that was shaping up, narrowed down the betting possibilities. Through the new standings whoever opens an account at the best betting agent, stands to place wagers on unexplored territory.