18 November 2023 , 01:00
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Leeds and Burnley both played a major role in Everton suffering an historic 10-point deduction imposed by the Premier League.
The two clubs, who in May 2022 were fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League alongside Everton, sent a joint letter to league officials seeking clarity over whether the Toffees' losses of £371.8million over the previous three years were in breach of financial fair play rules.
Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear and Burnley chairman Alan Pace signed the letter and kicked off an investigation, according to the Athletic, as current rules only allow for a maximum loss of £105m over a three-year period. Leeds, Burnley, Leicester and Southampton - all teams who've been relegated in recent seasons while Everton stayed up - have previously threatened to take legal action.
A ruling from David Phillips KC in May agreed that the four clubs would be able to apply for compensation through the Premier League should Everton be found to have broken the rules. On Friday, it was confirmed that the Toffees had been docked 10 points by Premier League chiefs, a penalty which sees them plummet into the relegation zone during a positive run of form for Sean Dyche's side.
The commission found that Everton had overspent by £19.5m, concluding: "This was a serious breach that requires a significant penalty." It added that the Toffees' transfer business while threatened with punishment "was recklessness that constitutes an aggravating factor."
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In-form Everton are now two points from safety after 12 games and the club have explained how it was "shocked and disappointed" with the outcome. "The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction," the Toffees added in a statement.
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Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear signed the letter (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
As did Burnley chairman Alan Pace (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)"The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club's case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League's rules in due course."
After insisting that they'd been transparent with Premier League officials during the investigation, Everton concluded by saying: "The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded."