File Photo: A general view of the stadium is seen ahead of the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on February 10, 2021. AFP

The Alleged Breach is for the period ending with the 2021/22 season, when the Merseyside club avoided relegation by four points.

Both Burnley, relegated from English football’s top-flight last season, and Leeds wrote to the league in May to question whether Everton’s reported three-year losses of £371.8 million ($454.4 million, 422.2 million euros) breached financial rules.

Premier League profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum £105 million over a three-year period or face penalties, which can include points deductions.

“The Premier League confirms that it has today (Friday) referred an alleged breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules by Everton Football Club to a commission,” said a statement from English football’s top-flight.

But Everton insisted later Friday they were “disappointed” by the Premier League’s move to refer an allegation of a breach of profit and sustainability regulations to an independent commission for review.

Their forceful statement said the club “strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations”.

Everton added they would “robustly defend” their position to the commission, having provided information to the Premier League in an “open and transparent manner” over several years while acting in the “utmost good faith”.

The club are owned by British-Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri, who committed £100 million through a new share issue during 2020/21 and provided a further cash injection of £97 million following the end of the financial year.

Everton headed into the current international break 15th in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

But their 69-year unbroken stay among English football’s elite clubs remains at risk, with the Toffees just two points above the relegation zone.

Everton will aim to extend a three-match unbeaten run under new manager Sean Dyche, who took over after Frank Lampard was sacked in January, when they resume their Premier League campaign at home to Tottenham on April 3.

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