Man City points deduction truth as Arsenal wait on FFP outcome(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Man City points deduction truth as Arsenal wait on FFP outcome after Premier League statement

Everton and Nottingham Forest have been charged with breaching profitability and sustainability regulations by the Premier League as Arsenal await the outcome of Man City's own FFP investigation

15 Jan 2024, 17:02 by Sam Truelove · football.london

The Premier League has confirmed that Everton and Nottingham Forest have been charged with breaching profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). Both clubs have each been charged with a single breach for the three-year period ending in the 2022/23 season.

Both clubs have been referred to an independent commission and, if found guilty, could be given a points deduction. Everton were hit with a 10-point deduction in November for an earlier PSR breach, after being referred to a commission in March last year. The club are appealing against that sanction.

The Premier League said in a statement: "Everton FC and Nottingham Forest FC have each confirmed to the Premier League that they are in breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022/23.

“In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the Judicial Panel, who will appoint separate Commissions to determine the appropriate sanction. Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The proceedings are heard in private with the commissions’ final decisions made public on the Premier League’s website. The league will make no further comment until that time.”

The announcement on Monday sent further shockwaves through the footballing world, especially when you take into consideration the fact that Manchester City are the subject of a FFP investigation of their own. Last year, the Premier League revealed that City had been charged with over 115 alleged FFP breaches covering a nine-year period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will all be monitoring the Citizens' investigation given they are currently locked in a title race with Pep Guardiola's side.

City deny the charges against them. In a statement published last year, the club said: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."

According to Premier League rules, if Man City are found guilty of the alleged breaches, then the club faces a possible points deduction or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League. The Mail reports that the Premier League and Man City have agreed to sit in front of an independent panel sometime in late autumn this year. There are suggestions a conclusion to the investigation is not expected until the end of the 2024/25 season, however.

Man City currently sit second in the Premier League, two points behind Liverpool. Arsenal are in fourth while Tottenham are fifth, both on 40 points.

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