The burden of proof seems to be on the clubs rather than the authorities. As I understand it, they are obliged to fully report their finances to the Premier League, and any failure to do so, or any omissions, are considered de facto punishable violations.

Perhaps the SFO is involved and they brought all their friends (AML/CTF, the Financial Conduct Authority, HMRC, the Gambling Commission, even the FBI) along for the ride too, hence the Chelsea and Manchester City situations remaining unresolved whilst the Everton case was open-and-shut; EFC apparently did not contest the ruling or the punishment. Whereas the other other cases involve serious financial criminality and go way beyond questions about who wins soccerball trophies. People will go to prison.

It probably makes little difference to Everton; they're having a tough time of it anyway and this is just more of the same. However they still have time to avoid relegation this season at least. On the other hand, if the allegations against Chelsea and City stand, they are both screwed six-ways from Sunday.

Football and our brown envelope culture has long been considered to be the white, soft underbelly of financial shenanigans, ripe for corruption by high-powered professional money-managers (blame dear old George Graham for that). These people actually KNOW how to steal.


Quote Originally Posted by PSRB View Post
Lets see what happens with City and Chelsea.......

"The club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules"