Everton's relegation rivals have been told the Premier League is powerless to fast-track the process of hearing the Merseyside club's financial fair play charges despite the considerable impact a guilty verdict would have on clubs.
Leeds United, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest and already doomed Southampton are understood to have expressed concern that the possibility of a points deduction should be decided urgently. However, the timeline for ongoing deliberations is set by an independent commission and the Premier League cannot interfere with the process once it has made its charges.
All clubs sign up to these rules annually and clubs are understood to have been told due process cannot be expedited because of the wishes of other parties. One club has now told Telegraph Sport privately of heightened fears that the case will now be resolved after the start of next season.
After recording losses of £371.8 million over three years, Everton, currently just a point above the relegation zone with just two games to play, are alleged to have broken the league's Profitability and Sustainability rules (previously known as Financial Fair Play) in the period ending for the 2021-22 season.
The Premier League first raised the possibility of a potential points deduction against Everton on March 24 when charges were announced. Premier League clubs are allowed to lose a maximum of £105 million over three years but Everton's big spending in the transfer window under Farhad Moshiri means they could face a number of sanctions.
Potential punishments include a points deduction, or a heavy fine and spending restrictions, but the Premier League's move to charge Everton was regarded as significant. Towards the end of last season Burnley – who were relegated to the second tier – and Leeds both indicated they were prepared to take legal action against the league and Everton if breaches were proven.
That never materialised despite Burnley's subsequent relegation. Around £700 million has been spent by Everton on more than 50 players since Moshiri's takeover seven years ago, including high-profile arrivals Amadou Onana (£31.5 million), Alex Iwobi (£28 million) and Yerry Mina (£27 million).
They are due to move to a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in 2025 although it is understood there have been challenges in funding the project. It is understood Everton’s losses cover four seasons from 2018-19 to 2021-22, with an average taken from the two campaigns affected by Covid.
Everton announced losses of £120.9 million last March. There were also reported losses in the three years before that – the highest being £139.9 million – and £13.1 million in 2018.
Everton has previously said: "The Club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations. Everton is prepared to robustly defend its position to the commission.
Everton's relegation rivals told Premier League 'powerless' to fast-track FFP verdict - The Telegraph
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