Fans have had their say on FFP after Everton were deducted ten points by the Premier League with other clubs facing an anxious wait over what could happen next
Arsenal and Chelsea are watching on with interest after Everton's points deduction for breaching Financial Fair Play rules could eventually have huge implications for the other Premier League clubs.
Both Manchester City and Chelsea have faced allegations surrounding FFP in recent times with the latter now being warned to expect punishment in the future after the Toffees were deducted 10 points by the league last week after being found guilty of breaching financial rules.
And while City themselves have been subject to investigation by both the Premier League and UEFA in recent years, the club has denied accusations of any wrongdoing. The Etihad Stadium outfit were charged earlier this year with an alleged 115 breaches of FFP rules, covering a nine-year period between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
Chelsea, however, have also faced claims against the previous ownership regime under Roman Abramovich, who was in charge of the club before being forced to sell in 2022. A report of further allegations was made by the Guardian referring to misdeeds under Roman Abramovich's tenure. As well as uncovered files alleging that Abramovich was moving money towards offshore accounts it has been claimed that he was making sketchy payments in transfers for Willian and Samuel Eto'o with other claims made against the club between 2012 and 2019.
Earlier this year, Chelsea agreed to pay £8.57million (€10million) to UEFA after reaching a resolution over incomplete financial reporting under Abramovich. It was nothing to do with actions of the current owners, but the sanctions were granted either way. Could the same happen again?
Following Everton's decision, more than 8,000 thousand football supporters across football.london and its sister titles, had their say, with 67% believing that other clubs will eventually be punished for FFP related charges. Fans were then asked what the punishment should be should this happen, with 41% saying that they should also receive a points deduction.
However, 36% think that they should be forcibly relegated from the Premier League. With Chelsea potentially facing similar sanctions, that would be enough to make Todd Boehly & Co at Stamford Bridge wince.
Among fans across the country, 23% went a step further, however, saying that City should be stripped of their titles. Across at the Emirates Stadium, that would make Arsenal fans sit up and take notice. The Gunners were beaten to the title by Pep Guardiola's side last season, with the club winning the league in five out of the last six seasons.
Fans appeared to be split on whether they thought Everton's punishment was acceptable, as just 51% agreed with 49% thinking it was unfair. The Toffees' 10-point deduction also sees them slip back into the Premier League's relegation places, but fans were still confident of their survival this season with 74% thinking that they will stay up.
When asked about the league's financial fair play rules generally, more than half of fans (57%) agreed with them, with 17% disagreeing. Interestingly, the remaining 26% stated that whilst they did agree with the rules in principle, they thought that the current set are too harsh on clubs.
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