In what seemed like a precursor to the ongoing case against Manchester City who have been accused of breaking Financial Fair Play rules, Everton were found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. This came as a result of overspending of £24m more than the £105m debt beyond which clubs are not allowed to lose over a three-year period.
The initial reaction from many quarters was an outcry over the fact that the hammer has fallen on the Toffees while Manchester City are still free.
Of course, most of these people are either unaware or simply don’t care to know that City’s case is much more complicated and will take a significantly longer period to determine. Be that as it may, this verdict and the subsequent punishment tends to suggest the Premier League is making a statement of intent.
Punishing Everton suggests the Premier League will not hesitate to equally bring down the hammer on City. That’s especially so when the governing body will not like to be seen as weak or biased in any way against City because of their vast resources.
Also, Everton’s case may be easily used to serve as a precedent, setting the stage for what is to come against the likes of City. It could be used to justify it’s position showing that City are not the only ones that have been on the receiving end of the Premier League’s punitive measures.
This certainly puts more pressure on the club in maintaining its innocence. Already judged and found guilty in the court of public opinion, it may become an uphill task proving the Premier League wrong behind the closed doors of the Commission tasked with hearing the case.
For many, City are guilty of “financial doping” as former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger called it. They are just waiting for when the club will be punished. So this is a unique opportunity.
Speaking of Arsenal, City have reportedly lodged a complaint that Murray Rosen KC the chair to the judicial panel adjudicating on the case is an Arsenal fan. With the two clubs battling for the Premier League title last year and set to go head-to-head again this term, if an Arsenal fan has an opportunity to take City out of the equation, wouldn’t they do it?
These are the kind of factors that can work against City in the end. Such that the club could end up getting punished even if it is not deserved.
Once again, Everton’s earlier punishment could then provide a soft landing for such an outcome. What would normally appear as just punishment handed down to another team in the league could actually be the result of pressure exerted by public opinion and individual bias.
