Exclusive: Everton face points deduction blow after new twist

Everton could have to wait up to eight weeks before learning the outcome of their capitalisation case against the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Merseyside giants were docked eight points last season after being charged by the governing body for two separate spending breaches. 

The independent commission that oversaw the second case postponed an argument over the capitalisation of the new stadium interest by the club after ruling it was too complex to be heard at the time. 

That meant Everton would face a further hearing later this year, with the Liverpool Echo reporting on 20 November the matter is yet to be resolved.  

A potential reason for the delay is Adam Lewis KC, the Premier League’s leading barrister, is currently working on the Manchester City 115 charges case. 

But that hearing is scheduled to end this week, meaning Lewis could soon be free to represent the governing body in the Everton capitalisation case. 

Sources have told Football Insider a hearing of this nature is likely to take somewhere between four to eight weeks for the panel to come to a decision, leaving the Merseysiders in limbo heading into the new year. 

Everton could face third points deduction after hearing update

The unresolved matter raises questions about whether Everton could face yet another points deduction. 

If the decision were to go against the club, it would mean their financial breaches for 2021-22 and 2022-23 would be significantly more than originally thought. 

It could also lead to Sean Dyche’s side being charged with a potential breach for 2023-24 after they were believed to be close to the PSR limit last season, with top-flight sides only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period. 

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider Everton could see their losses negatively adjusted by up to £40million for the past two campaigns if they lose the case, meaning they would have to find that money to fall within the spending limit. 

Sources have told Football Insider there is a chance the case could still be dropped, but there is currently no indication from the Premier League it intends to do so. 

It would, however, come as a huge boost to prospective owner Dan Friedkin if that were to be the case after he’s agreed to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club. 

The American billionaire is currently waiting to receive regulatory approval from the Premier League, the FA and the Financial Conduct Authority before he can finalise the deal.  

Football Insider revealed on 12 November Friedkin is on course to complete his takeover before the end of December. 

In other news, Everton senior man in talks to join PSV.

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