Manchester City face an anxious wait regarding their ongoing FFP investigation into 115 charges after Everton were docked 10 points for just one breach. On Friday, it was announced the Toffees were to face a sizeable points deduction having been adjudged to have failed the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which is in place to prohibit clubs from losing a certain amount of money over the span of three years.
Everton have faced a turbulent few years in regards to FFP with the investigation into their alleged breach being referred to an independent commission in March 2023. Eight months on from that and a verdict has been provided which has seen them slide down the 2023/24 Premier League table going from 14th, sitting on that exact number of points into the relegation zone only above Burnley.
It is possible that the outcome of Everton's breach could speed up the process regarding Man City to the point where some form of decision is made this season. As a result, with Arsenal and Chelsea still to play the reigning champions once and Tottenham yet to face them at all, those fixtures could be affected.
With Arsenal beating Man City and Chelsea securing a point already this season, Tottenham travel to Etihad Stadium for their first fixture of the campaign against the reigning champions on Sunday, December 3. Towards the end of the year, Man City head to Goodison Park for a league clash with Everton in what will likely be a hostile atmosphere given the FFP context.
In 2024, Arsenal and Chelsea will both make the trip up to Manchester with the Blues facing the reverse fixture from before the November international break on Saturday, February 17, although that date could change because of TV scheduling. The Gunners meanwhile, will do battle with Man City on the latter's patch on the final weekend in March. As for Tottenham's home clash, they welcome Pep Guardiola's side on April 20, 2024.
READ MORE: Man City stripped of Premier League title? FFP punishments analysed as Arsenal await verdict
READ MORE: Details of Man City FFP investigation panel as Arsenal await points deduction decision
Following news of Everton's points deduction, Sporting Intelligence journalist Nick Harris has made his thoughts perfectly clear on what the Premier League should do now regarding Man City to appease fans.
"That has been happening since Friday, since the announcement," he told the Rest is Football podcast when asked about disgruntled fans complaining about Man City's charges. "Everton are like 'how the hell are we going to be docked 10 points when Manchester City have got 115 charged.'
"Absolutely I can understand it and really my question and from many fans to the Premier League and Man City is 'can you just explain to us why this isn't happening more quickly, what is the hold up? Can we have a little more transparency?. Explain to the fans what is happening but absolutely I understand Everton's annoyance and frustration."
