It seems like most of the Premier League is living in fear of tough new profitability and sustainability rules – except for a select few.
Everton have already had points deducted and face further punishment for breaching the league’s spending limits, while Nottingham Forest are awaiting their judgement after an independent commission considered their case last week.
Meanwhile, the likes of Aston Villa and Wolves are looking at what assets they can sell in the summer to ensure they do not fall foul of financial fair play. Newcastle United and Chelsea could be in the same boat.
And yet treble-winners Manchester City, facing 115 charges in connection with financial fair play breaches, still wait to learn their fate. A five-year investigation into City’s accounts led to these charges being brought. A resolution, one way or another, is expected in late 2024. If the verdict goes against City, then we can expect appeals, even a potential referral to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It is an avenue they have gone down before, and with success.
One of the biggest moans in footballing circles around referees and the use of VAR is the lack of consistency. It could be argued City got away with one on that count on Sunday when Michael Oliver refused to award Liverpool an injury-time penalty for a challenge on Alexis Mac Allister – a potential title-deciding decision at that.
