Everton Football Club says it is ‘angered’ by demands it pays £35m in compensation to Burnley FC in relation to breaking profit and sustainability rules and insists it will appeal the ruling. Tony McDonough reports
Everton FC has been ordered to pay Burnley FC £35m in compensation in relation to the breaking of Premier League profit and sustainability regulations (PSR).
Already penalised for the PSR breach, which occurred over a three-year period, Everton has now been told by the Premier League Independent Disciplinary Commission that it faces further punishment.
The commission has ordered the Blues to pay £35m, £26m in damages and £9m in interest, to Burnley after the Clarets successfully argued the breach impacted their chances of staying in the Premier League.
In a statement Everton said: “Everton FC is surprised and angered by the decision of a Premier League Independent Disciplinary Commission to order a compensation payment to Burnley Football Club in relation to Everton’s PSR breach in June 2022.
“Everton has appealed the decision and is clear in its belief the ruling is fundamentally flawed in both law and fact.
“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 PSR, for which a substantive sporting sanction has already been received.
“This ruling sets a dangerous and unworkable precedent for English football, given it is constructed on a principle that a club can be in breach of financial rules at any point in a financial year.
“Everton believes the panel’s ruling misrepresents the clear evidence presented by its legal representatives and that an appeal will be successful.
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“The club is confident of its ongoing PSR compliance and has also obtained confirmation from the Premier League of its clear position that this ruling should not be the cause of any future PSR sanction.
“Evertonians can be assured that ownership are focused, with strengthened resolve, on delivering their vision of returning Everton to the top echelon of English football.
“No further comment will be made on this matter until the appeal process has been successfully concluded.”