Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The football world is still stunned following news last Friday that Man City have reportedly been found guilty of all but one of their charges from the Premier League relating to financial reporting, remuneration, financial regulations and cooperation – and Everton fans understandably have a vested interest.
David Ornstein dropped the huge bombshell that City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges, and talk has now turned to what kind of punishment will be dished out.
City will appeal the verdict, and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated his confidence in the club’s position.
The situation could potentially still be up in the air for months, possibly years, yet.
And that is frustrating, given how long it has already taken to reach this point, and Everton fans could certainly be forgiven for shouting the loudest about this.
A graphic asking Everton fans to rate their start to the 2026/27 season between A* and D. Image shows David Moyes.
A graphic asking Everton fans to rate their start to the 2026/27 season between A* and D. Image shows David Moyes.
The questions that are surely on most Everton fans’ lips after Man City charges verdict
Of course, Everton are one of a few clubs to have previously been deducted points by the Premier League for financial breaches.
Everton were hit with a 10-point deduction for breaching the rules in the 2021/22 season. This was later reduced to six points. But Everton were then docked another two points for a separate breach in 2022/23. The Toffees appealed initially but then withdrew it, accepting guilt.
Everton were immediately sanctioned after their breach, which will prompt Everton fans to demand that City are punished just as quickly. That they are appealing, though, suggests a sanction won’t be just around the corner.
The second question that Everton fans everywhere will be asking is obviously about the kind of punishment that City should receive, assuming their appeal is unsuccessful as expected.
The Premier League showed no mercy to Everton for just two breaches. And that was after Everton had admitted breaching PSR rules and had cooperated with the Premier League and complied with the process. There was accountability, but the book was thrown at the Toffees, with some still maintaining it was disproportionate.
Everton supporters will now be wondering what a serious sanction for City actually looks like based on the precedent that has already been set.
The scale of City’s alleged wrongdoing is staggering compared to Everton’s situation of a few years ago.
Undoubtedly, it is a moment for the Premier League to restore confidence for the many people who understandably question them.
Factoring in situations that have gone before, the Premier League simply have to hand City a punishment that befits what they have done. Everton received a heavy punishment in the form of an eight-point deduction for a minor breach, so what should City’s sanction be?
Everton fans could also be forgiven for wondering about what kind of opportunities have potentially been missed as a result of City’s activity. On a number of occasions from 2009 onwards, Everton came close to securing European football but couldn’t quite get over the line.
In 2013/14, Everton came fifth, finishing just outside the Champions League places.
This is an entirely separate conversation and there has already been talk of other clubs taking legal action against City. For the moment, though, it seems we will again have to play the waiting game.