Everton face a further points deduction alongside Nottingham Forest, with both clubs alleged to have breached the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) for the 2022/23 season.
The Athletic reports that both clubs are expected to plead their case to an independent commission with the prospect of severe punishment looming.
Forest have become the third Premier League club to be charged with a breach of spending rules after defending champions Manchester City and Everton.
The Tricky Trees are alleged to have reported losses that exceed the allowed amount over the three-year reporting cycle after their remarkable spending spree since gaining top-flight promotion.
Forest have signed 42 players since the summer of 2022, splashing an eye-watering £250 million in a bid to establish themselves as a top-flight club.
They remain adamant they have adhered to the rules of the division, citing last summer’s sale of homegrown star Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the issue for Forest is that Johnson’s sale didn’t go through until September 1, well after the financial year ended.
Everton are already battling a ten-point deduction which served as punishment for their PSR breach for the 2021/22 season, but the situation could worsen for the Toffees, who now have fresh charges to contend with.
Both Forest and Everton face a points deduction, although there’s also the possibility that they could escape with a fine. They have responded to the charges with respective statements.
The Premier League has implemented new guidelines aimed at expediting PSR decisions, ensuring that any potential breaches are addressed within the same season in which the charge is brought.
All clubs were required to file their financial accounts for the 2022/23 season by December 31, a departure from the previous deadline in March, with any breaches and subsequent charges confirmed 14 days later.
The league is expected to deliberate on any such matter at the annual general meeting and have designated May 24 as the deadline for any appeals that may arise after the conclusion of the season five days earlier.
