Everton supporters are ‘probably worrying’ over a possible points deduction following their recent financial troubles, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Toffees announced a loss of over £120 million for 2020/21 despite a reported a record turnover of £193.1m for the financial year ending 2021.

What is the latest news involving Everton?

According to The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland, the club’s total wage to turnover ratio increased from 89 per cent in 2019/20 to 95 per cent for last year.

The Merseysiders claimed that this figure had been ‘artificially inflated’ due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, yet the figure comfortably exceeds UEFA’s benchmark of 70 per cent.

Everton recorded combined losses of over £260m between 2017 and 2020, which in ordinary circumstances would represent a clear breach of Premier League rules.

Clubs are only permitted to lose a maximum of £105m over a three-year cycle in order to be fully compliant with profit and sustainability regulations, yet the current Financial Fair Play cycle is slightly different.

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Boyland states that ‘an average for the final two reported financial years, 2020 and 2021, will be taken and added to 2018 and 2019 totals’, meaning Everton believe they will be FFP compliant. 

And perhaps most importantly, the Goodison Park hierachy have attributed a whopping £170m of their losses over the past two financial years to the impact of coronavirus.

What has O’Rourke said about Everton?

Everton’s off-field woes have been increased after Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov was sanctioned by the UK government, leaving a reported ‘£300m blackhole’ in the playing budget.

Usmanov was due to sign a naming rights deal for the club's new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, but that no longer looks like a feasible option following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

And O’Rourke believes the Everton fans will be concerned over potential punishments.

He told GiveMeSport: “Everton fans are probably worrying after breaking FFP regulations and that maybe there could be a points deduction coming up as well. So, we'll have to wait and see.”

Will Everton have to sell their star players?

Potential sales of their star players have already been widely mooted as Everton’s financial troubles continue to mount.

According to The Sun, the Blues are prepared to let star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin depart over the summer, reportedly putting Premier League duo Arsenal and West Ham on ‘red alert’.

The Hammers made enquiries over the England international, only to be put off by his £60m price tag yet could return with a fresh offer when the market reopens for business.