Kieran Maguire: Rivals ‘pointing the finger’ at Everton as FFP deadline missed
Rival clubs will use the precedent set by Everton to dispute their own Financial Fair Play problems.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Toffees’ standing under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The Merseysiders have lost £372million over the last three years, but they claim that Covid allowances see them fall within the top flight’s £105m threshold.
The Athletic reported last Thursday (30 June) that the club were up against a deadline to sell a player for a big profit by that day or risk falling foul of FFP.
The sale of 25-year-old Brazilian forward Richarlison to Tottenham, which will reportedly net Everton around £50m plus add-ons, was not announced until last Friday (1 July).
Per The Athletic’s report, there is some disagreement at Premier League HQ about the flexibility of the deadline, with some arguing for a strict approach and others for more leniency.
Maguire suggests that Everton’s rivals will use the league’s handling of the situation to argue their own corner if ever they face FFP challenges.
“Eyebrows have been raised by other clubs,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But there doesn’t appear to be an appetite from other members of the Premier League to punish Everton. Everyone accepts that Covid has added to the difficulties.
“There will be a view in some boardrooms that this sets a precedent in respect of clubs who are also facing problems with profit and sustainability.
“They will be able to turn around, point the finger and say: ‘What about Everton?’
“On the face of it, it does seem an unusually generous amount that has been chalked up to Covid, but other clubs will perhaps welcome that. It will give them an opportunity if ever they are charged to use that precedent.”
In other news, Everton ready bid for Wolves star Morgan Gibbs-White.