Kieran Maguire issues ’emphatic’ claim as Leeds United pull ‘£2m’ U-turn
Leeds United have abandoned their complaint against Everton as it is simply no longer worth their time or money.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the case against the Toffees on the basis of Financial Fair Play.
Everton have posted combined losses of almost £372million over the last few years, well over the Premier League’s current £105m FFP limit.
The Toffees, however, insist that Covid add-backs see them fall within the top flight’s profit and sustainability parameters.
Leeds and Burnley, Everton’s rivals in 2021-22’s relegation scrap, contest this claim and wrote to the Premier League in May to demand action.
But The Athletic reported last Friday (1 July) that Leeds have now decided to abandon their complaint.
Maguire explained that they were only ever likely to earn an extra £2m if the case was successful and that the Merseysiders in any case have been “emphatic” in the denial.
“I think was always almost certain that Leeds would use whatever methods they can to take this no further,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“The potential gain for them is perhaps one position in the premier league, which is worth £2m. It would cost you that in legal fees.
“From Leeds’ perspective, all that mattered was that they stayed up, and they did.
“As far as Everton are concerned, they have always been emphatic in saying that they are working with the Premier League to identify ways in which the cost base could be reduced.
“While they weren’t given a transfer embargo last summer, the nature of their signings was a sign that they had overspent in the past and they were taking definitive steps to address that.”
In other news, Millwall agree to sign Leeds United star Jamie Shackleton.