PREM bosses are being urged to explain alleged “inconsistent” FFP investigations.
Everton were last week rocked by a ten-point deduction, while Manchester City face 115 charges, all vehemently denied.
The Toffees’ angry reaction included a vow that: “The club will monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.”
And one of the questions being asked is why Prem bosses have not investigated Manchester United or Wolves after they were both sanctioned for breaking Uefa FFP regulations.
In July, United were hit with a £257,000 fine for what were described as “minor” breaches of the Uefa regulations between 2019 and 2022.
Three years earlier, Wolves were fined an initial £175,000 for similar offences.
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It is unclear if Prem legal eagles launched an investigation into whether either club had also broken League rules.
But among the charges against City were five accusing them of “failing to comply with Uefa regulations, including Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations”.
The penalty imposed on Everton raised hackles on Merseyside in particular, with extra scrutiny on what some critics described as double standards.
Sun Sport understands questions are being asked by lawyers and other experts over why there has been action against Man City and Chelsea and none at all against two clubs who have been found guilty of breaching UEFA regulations.
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The written reasons of the independent commission that heard the Everton case disclosed that Prem chief executive Richard Masters argued for a six point penalty being the starting point for breaching financial rules.
That being the case, with guilty verdicts from Uefa having been handed down, it is felt to look inconsistent that Wolves and Manchester United have not been investigated and potentially charged by the League.
Pressed on whether any probe into Wolves or United had been launched or ended, a League spokesman declined to comment, citing policy only to confirm investigations against clubs when a charge is levied.
However, it is known that Chelsea are under investigation after being fined £8.6m by Uefa in a “settlement” agreement in the summer.
And while the City charges were only announced in February, it was known that the club were under investigation for at least 18 months beforehand.
City have previously commented on the charges and claimed that it was “surprised” about the alleged breaches.
A club statement read: “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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
