Burnley & Leeds Suspect Everton Ffp Breach

Following the recent relegation battle between the three clubs, Leeds United and Burnley FC have asked the Premier League to investigate Everton FC’s data and communication relating to its commercial, sponsorship or transfer business.

The two clubs are stepping up their attempts to get Everton’s financial accounts independently investigated in the wake of their battle to stay in English football’s top-flight. On a dramatic final day in the Premier League, Burnley was relegated after six years in the Premier League, and Leeds United stayed up with a win over Brentford.

Both have written to the league about the Toffees’ latest accounts, believing that they reserve the right to take legal action over alleged spending by Everton which breaches the league’s Financial Fair Play rules. The clubs want an independent commission to decide whether the league’s regulations have been followed and, if not, a figure of £200m in compensation.

The case against Everton is being driven by the Leeds chairman and controlling shareholder Andrea Radrizzani and Burnley chairman Alan Pace.

Everton’s accounts show losses of £120.9m for 2020-21, adding to the club’s losses of £372m over the past three years.

League profitability and sustainability rules allow for losses of £105m over a three-year period but Everton say Covid-19 losses over the past two seasons amount to £170m, which can be deducted from their total. The figure has caused surprise among some Premier League teams as it is significantly higher than clubs of a similar size. Earlier this week, Newcastle posted Covid-19 losses of £40m over the past two seasons, while Aston Villa said its losses amounted to £56m.

The Premier League’s current position is understood to be that it is satisfied that its own profit and sustainability regulations have not been breached by Everton, but it remains unclear if this will change in the wake of Burnley and Leeds’ complaints.

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