The Premier League are set to begin the process of scrutinising all 20 clubs’ accounts to see if they have breached profit and sustainability regulations
As the New Year’s Eve deadline for Premier League clubs to submit their latest financial figures looms, four clubs are nervously awaiting to see if they have complied with profit and sustainability rules, with Liverpool watching on with interest.
Chelsea, who have so far been one of the closest challengers to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, along with Nottingham Forest and Leicester, could all face potential points deductions if found to have exceeded the league’s maximum permitted losses of £105m, according to the Mirror.
The 2023-24 accounts must be submitted by close of business on December 31, after which the league’s accounting experts will scrutinise the details. Following last season’s points deductions for Everton and Forest, other clubs are apprehensive about possible repercussions.
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Despite being allowed to include the £76m sale of two Stamford Bridge hotels in their accounts, Chelsea’s lack of European football has significantly impacted their finances. Forest seem fairly confident of meeting the threshold due to transfers, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team currently sit second in the table ahead Arsenal’s clash against Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Leicester are reportedly the most worried. The club, however, cashed in on academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall over the summer, which would have been a boost to finances.
The Foxes reported a loss of £124m for the cycle in the season they were relegated, and last year’s promotion from the Championship is likely to have been expensive as well. They won a legal fight in the summer to avoid starting this season with a penalty, as they were not under the Premier League’s jurisdiction last season.
The Mirror also reports that Everton could be at risk, although the ECHO understands the club feel they will be okay this time around and the club have done enough to comply with the three-year, £105m loss limit for the first time in three years.
The likes of Amadou Onana (£50m) and Ben Godfrey (£10m) were sold over the summer to balance their books, with new owners The Friedkin Group taking over in December. Currently in 16th place, Sean Dyche’s side are just three points clear of safety following a home defeat to Forest on Sunday afternoon.
