As events continue to unfold following last Friday’s announcement that Everton would be docked ten points, it seems the commission responsible will look into other club’s compensation claims.
It was long clear that were the Blues to be found in breach of FFP and in particular Profit and Sustainability Rules, then other clubs could attempt to submit a claim for compensation for the alledged advantage accrued.
And so it looks increasingly likely that Everton may be facing compensation demands from at least some of the other clubs involved in relegation fights over the last few seasons.
I think that the decision of the commission and their ruling on Friday is in danger of opening up a serious can of worms.
Already, there is a precedent set with their decision which everyone can now clearly see.
If other clubs who are accused and then found guilty of similar or worse breaches don’t receive proportionate punishments, there will be serious questions asked.
But also allowing clubs to start trying to take legal action against each other over alledged adverse football outcomes because of seemingly obscure financial irregularities, is highly risky.
First of all surely you have to be able to prove directly that the overspend Everton admit to (which is about £20 million, the fee for one average Premier League player these days) has a direct bearing on events that took place on the pitch.
The commission’s report indicates that they believe there was no intention on the Blues part to gain sporting advantage from what they were doing.
Furthermore as I understand it this overspend relates directly to payments for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, a capital project not transfer spending on players.
There are other issues though too.
As we all know, both Manchester City and Chelsea are rumoured to be in breach of the same rules Everton have now been punished for breaking, and in City’s case and possibly Chelsea’s too, allegedly to a much greater degree and for far longer.
Therefore if the clubs who are looking for compensation lost matches to either of those two during the last season or two in question – something that may well have had a big influence on their relegation – will they be able to go after those clubs as well?
And will all the clubs (including the Blues) who have lost key games to City and Chelsea, such as vital Premier League games or Cup semi-finals and finals in recent seasons, have a case for compensation too?
Once begun where will all this end?
The clubs who may consider they have a case are on a time limited period of 28 days after the decision to punish Everton was announced, giving them until the week before Christmas to apply for compensation.
Those claims will then be looked at by the same commission that gave the Toffees a record-breaking and unprecedented points deduction last Friday.
So, assuming any claims are lodged, we will of course shortly see whether they come down on the side of those other clubs or not.
Once again it could set a very important precedent that might have serious ramifications down the road for the game.