Everton are not the only team to have been left completely dumbfounded by PSR this season.
Although, as they were the first, to be charged they came under intense ridicule from rival fans. That was until they realised that the repercussions of their sanctions affected them just as much.
After all, although Newcastle United and Aston Villa are likely not near a deduction, their progress has been prohibited because of the very rules used to punish the Toffees.
As the campaign has gone on, more and more fans have grown aware of how anti-competition these rules are.
With Chelsea and Manchester City continuing to avoid scrutiny too, that is only emphasised.
Simon Jordan on Everton’s PSR case
Speaking on talkSPORT earlier today, Graeme Souness and Simon Jordan engaged in another of their infamously prickly debates, often devolving into petty jibes.
However, this particular conversation was far more civilised, with the former Liverpool midfielder actually posing a question to his co-host: ‘I want to kick off this week can you explain to me the workings of Financial Fair Play? We have Forest and Everton and Chelsea haven’t been charged. Explain that to me.’
Jordan replied: ‘Because they haven’t breached Financial Fair Play. It’s very simple if you have lost £105 million over three seasons you will be in a situation where you are charged with breaching Financial Fair Play.
‘Nottingham Forest clearly have. They didn’t have £105 million, they carried two seasons of Championship losses which were £22 million a season and then they £35 million in the Premier League, they lost £61 million – more than.
‘Going to Everton, they lost much more than the £105 million.
‘Chelsea, if Chelsea had breached Financial Fair Play for season 2022/23, what happens is when the financial year for the year 2022/23 finishes in June, you produce your accounts and give them to the Premier League by December 30th.
‘If you have breached more than £105 million over that three-year period they charge you on January 14th. They have charged Forest and Everton because they did.’
The Premier League haven’t helped themselves
Although Chelsea and Manchester City may not have flagrantly breached the Premier League’s PSR, it is clear that their free-spending nature puts them at a clear advantage against the rest of the division.
And whilst that has not yet materialised for the former, their reckless scattergun approach to the transfer market is well-documented.
However, through loopholes and other questionable means, they have been allowed to continue operating with confidence despite many calling into question the morality behind the monopoly this encourages.
After all, last season saw Chelsea finish 12th. This season, they are likely on track to do the same.
By allowing these outfits to spend freely whilst punishing those below them who dare to have the ambition to try and compete, they are actively encouraging the corruption claims that continue to emerge.
The only hope is that Everton’s new stadium can provide the necessary injection of revenue to actually allow them to compete.