16 January 2024 , 20:59
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Sean Dyche has revealed that Everton sold three players during the summer transfer window in an attempt to avoid FFP sanctions.
The Toffees are focused on their appeal against the points deduction they were given in November - even though they could be hit with a fresh sanction alongside relegation battle rivals Nottingham Forest. The Premier League on Monday said Everton and Forest had confirmed they had breached profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) for the assessment period up to and including the 2022-23 season, with separate commissions set to determine sanctions.
Everton are already appealing against a 10-point penalty imposed two months ago relating to a PSR breach in the period ending in 2021-22. Asked at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay against Crystal Palace how concerned he was about the prospect of another points deduction, Toffees boss Dyche said: “Because of the first situation, I think we’re all wondering.
“I don’t know what the outcome is going to be. The appeal is the first thing, our focus remains on the appeal from the last part of it, and see where that takes us. I think that’s all we can do.”
Dyche - whose side are currently 17th in the Premier League, a point above 18th-placed Luton having played a game more - has been in charge at Goodison Park since January 2023. And he said: “I’ve been here approaching a year and in my timeline and certainly by the recent stats and facts, I think we’re in the bottom three or four net spend over the last three or four seasons, so there’s a start point of the club motioning to do things correctly.
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“Since I’ve been here we let players go out of contract, some we would’ve kept. We’ve been working hard to lower everything. We sold three young players in the timelines we were given to make sure the money was in. The new stadium speaks for itself, the effect that will have on the city.”
Over the past few seasons, Everton have sanctioned a number of big-name departures such as star striker Richarlison to Tottenham for £60million, academy product Anthony Gordon to Newcastle for £45m, Italian forward Moise Kean back to Juventus for £25m and most recently midfielder Alex Iwobi to Fulham for £22m.
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Everton have done well to recover from being deducted 10 points in November (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Dyche continued: “Alongside that, trying to still put a team out there that can be competitive, trying to work within the numbers… and then you end up with an on-pitch sanction. We’re trying to do everything we can to solve all these conundrums. There’s mistakes been made I’m sure down the years, but that’s a natural part of football, particularly with player trading.
“I think that’s a broad view of there’s a lot going on at this club that they’ve tried to do right. So it’s a strange situation to get an on-pitch sanction of 10 points. You put all that in the melting pot and there’s no on-pitch advantage there and yet we get an on-pitch sanction, so that’s a tough one.
“We hope better news comes out of the appeal, then the next bit comes along and that’s kind of encapsulated in all of that. Who knows what comes next. We’re hopeful a change in what’s going on occurs, we get some points back and it’s probably looked at a bit differently.”
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Everton is the still-to-be-ratified proposed takeover of the club by American investment firm 777 Partners. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters on Tuesday said he did not know how long it would take for that situation to be concluded, adding “hopefully weeks.”
Dyche said of that matter: “No more on that until there is more, currently it’s just an ongoing situation with the Premier League.” Dyche also said checks would be made ahead of Wednesday’s Goodison replay - set up by a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park the week before last - on Abdoulaye Doucoure (fatigue) and Seamus Coleman (hamstring).