EVERTON ORDERED TO PAY BURNLEY £35M OVER PSR BREACH

A Premier League commission has ruled that Everton must pay Burnley £35m following Everton's breach of the league's profit and sustainability regulations (PSR). The ruling covers the 2021-22 season, during which Everton were found to have broken PSR rules across a three-year period. Burnley argued the breach reduced their chances of avoiding relegation that season. The award comprises £26m in damages and a further £9m in interest. Everton have appealed against the decision.

Everton were charged by the Premier League and received a 10-point deduction in November 2023, later reduced to six points on appeal and applied to the 2023-24 season. Burnley's case rested on the argument that had the deduction been applied in 2021-22, the Clarets would have had a greater chance of staying up. Everton finished 16th in 2021-22 on 39 points, with Leeds United 17th on 38 points and Burnley 18th on 35 points. Everton stated in a formal response that the ruling is "fundamentally flawed in both law and fact". The club described the decision as setting "a dangerous and unworkable precedent for English football".

Everton said they believe the panel misrepresented evidence submitted by their legal representatives and that an appeal will succeed. The club stated it would "robustly and thoroughly" contest the ruling. Any compensation payment would not affect Everton's PSR accounts for the current period. The appeal process now determines whether the £35m award will stand.