Former Liverpool player John Aldridge believes that Everton’s immediate 10-point deduction for violating Premier League financial regulations is “excessive.” He anticipates that Manchester City and Chelsea, facing similar charges, won’t receive significant point deductions, attributing this potential discrepancy to the financial prowess of the latter clubs.
Everton’s penalty has sparked concerns among City supporters, who await information on the potential consequences of the Premier League’s charges against their club for breaching financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Meanwhile, Chelsea might also face investigation regarding alleged payments to former owner Roman Abramovich, although no charges have been filed yet.
Aldridge expresses skepticism about Everton’s ability to challenge the penalty, suggesting that their financial constraints made them a “sitting duck.” In contrast, he believes that Manchester City and Chelsea, backed by “limitless resources,” could potentially deter regulatory action against them.
Drawing attention to the extensive charges against City (115 in total) and the ongoing inquiry into Chelsea’s financial dealings, Aldridge questions whether the success of these clubs plays a role in regulatory leniency. He implies that Everton’s lack of financial strength prevented them from employing similar delaying tactics, emphasizing the need for fairness in the regulatory process.
Despite hoping for a fair outcome, Aldridge criticizes the Premier League for what he perceives as taking the “easy option” by penalizing Everton. He calls for consistency, stating, “if it is good enough for Everton, then it is certainly good enough for City and any other club.”
The uncertainty surrounding City and Chelsea’s potential punishments raises concerns among their supporters, with fears of possible expulsion from the Premier League. The timing of the charges against City, a month ahead of Everton’s penalty, adds to the complexity of the situation. Additionally, Chelsea’s involvement in a May 2022 inquiry, triggered by suspected financial irregularities reported by Todd Boehly’s consortium, adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga.
In light of recent accusations against Chelsea for covert payments, the situation remains fluid, and the football community eagerly awaits the Premier League’s decisions on Manchester City and Chelsea, hoping for a fair and consistent approach in enforcing financial regulations.
