David Moyes has called on the Premier League to provide a fuller explanation of why Chelsea were not deducted points for breaking financial rules under Roman Abramovich. The Everton manager expressed confusion over the disparity between the points deductions handed to his club and Nottingham Forest, and the fine imposed on Chelsea.
Everton were deducted 10 points in November 2023, later reduced to six on appeal, plus a further two points later that season for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Nottingham Forest received a four-point deduction for a similar breach. In contrast, Chelsea were fined £10.75m, given a suspended transfer embargo and a nine-month academy transfer ban for illicit payments totalling £47.5m under Abramovich.
Moyes said: 'I don't think they have explained it well enough in the reasoning what the fine was and why it was. I think they have to explain exactly what has happened here. If they don't then we are never going to understand their reasoning why.' He added that Everton supporters endured 'pain' from the points deduction and questioned the effectiveness of a £10m fine compared to a 10-point deduction.
The Premier League's written reasons for the sanction stress that Chelsea would not have breached PSR rules and commend the club's new owners for self-reporting. A points deduction was deemed 'not appropriate'. However, there is anger at Everton over perceived double standards, with Moyes urging the league to clarify the difference in punishments.
