Everton face new Premier League fight that must be settled before transfer window opens

With one quick blow the contradiction landed. Its consequences threaten to damage Everton beyond this season.

One of the most significant features of the latest judgement delivered against the club this week was the battle that was put on hold. At an unknown point in the future, Everton and the Premier League will once again engage in a brawl that could end in a points deduction.

That the case surrounding the interest on loans said to have been used for the new stadium project was delayed is problematic. It may be a complex issue but the Blues need it to be resolved as soon as possible if the club is to have any hope of steering towards calmer waters.

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Everton were handed a two-point deduction on Monday for a second breach of Premier League spending rules. But the full argument was not considered as the independent commission that heard the case back in March decided, it said in fairness to all parties, that the interest issue must be determined separately.

It leaves another question hanging over the Blues' finances. The Premier League allege Everton’s second offence under the regulations was actually graver than the £16.6m the latest case was set against. The uncertainty lingers over the capitalisation of £6.5m of interest across previous financial years and just over £19m in the most recent period of scrutiny.

The three-person panel explained their decision to separate the arguments by writing: “The commission is acutely aware that there are many stakeholders – to name some: the Premier League, Everton, the Everton fans, all other Premier