Burnley and Leeds United have written to the Premier League urging it to instruct Everton to keep all data relating to their finances, according to numerous reports.
Friday afternoon brought the news that Burnley and Leeds, who are battling to stay up, had sent a letter to the Premier League over Everton's compliance with profit and sustainability rules. The news emerged less than 24 hours hour after the Blues beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Goodison Park to secure their survival in the top flight - and there was the suggestion that the Clarets and the Whites could both could begin legal proceedings.
Now, further reports from multiple organisations have suggested more contact has been made by Burnley and Leeds. It is now claimed the clubs are requesting that Everton make sure none of their financial records from the past three years, which would be relevant to an inquiry, are lost.
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The Blues maintain they have broken no rules. A statement from the club on Friday read: “We have worked so closely with the Premier League to make sure we are compliant and we are comfortable we have complied with the rules. External auditors have told us what we can and cannot claim against the pandemic. If they want to take legal action then they can do so by all means.”
Premier League clubs are permitted to lose a maximum of £105m over three years. Everton's combined losses over that period are £371.8m. Burnley and Leeds are said to have warned that both reserve the right to take legal action.
The Blues insist they have worked closely with the Premier League and external auditors to ensure they have complied with the laws, however, pointing to costs that can be written off under the regulations. They include the £170m losses the club has attributed to the Covid pandemic.
Burnley and Leeds are said to have formed a 'pact', with the Mail reporting, 'so that whichever club stays up' on the final day of the season 'will continue to pursue the matter in Premier League shareholder meetings'.
