Newcastle United star makes 'extremely harsh' Everton claim after amid FFP punishment fears

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson believes it'd be "extremely harsh" if Everton are handed a second points deduction in the same season after allegedly breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in for a second time.

Both Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing either a fine or points deduction after being referred to an independent commission for alleged breaches in their accounts for the 2022-23 financial year. Under PSR, otherwise known as Financial Fair Play (FFP), clubs are permitted to lose a maximum of £105million over a rolling three-year reporting cycle. Indeed, The Toffees received a 10-point deduction in November after an independent commission found that the club's losses during 2021-22 amounted to £124.5m. As a result, Sean Dyche's men sit just one point above the Premier League relegation.

If the same punishment is applied again this campaign then Everton would face an uphill task to stay in England's top-flight. Wilson and West Ham United striker Michail Antonio discussed the situation on the BBC Footballer's Football Podcast with the former believing any potential points deduction should be deferred until next season.

"It's a tricky one because they've already had a points deduction this season," said Wilson. "I think it'd be extremely harsh if they got another one in the same season. They might be able to defer it for the following year or have it later down the line."

Antonio went on to reference Manchester City, who have been charged with 115 PSR breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18. An independent hearing will take place later this year.

Antonio said: "They must have known this was coming. Either they should have waited to find out what was going on with this one and done the punishment together or don't bring the next one up until probably next season.

"If they're going to do that now with Everton, then what on earth on they going to do with Man City?! Because Man City has 115 breaches, Everton's had two!"

Both Everton and Forest are set to argue their case. For the Toffees, who have appealed their 10 point deduction, will continue to base their argument around the costs of building their new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, with work set to be completed before the end of the year.

Forest have spent around £250m on new signings since returning to the Premier League last year but will likely point to the £47.5m sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur after the accounting cut off as mitigation for their losses.