Premier League rivals demand action over Everton's financial losses

Leeds and Burnley have written to the Premier League claiming that Everton have seriously breached financial rules.

The two clubs sent a joint letter to the League on 13 May asking for an independent commission be set up to investigate the matter within six weeks of their correspondence.

Leeds and Burnley have threatened to bring a claim for substantial damages against the Premier League and Everton after the Merseyside club recorded losses of £371.8 million over the last three years.

The Premier League's profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum £105m over a three-year period or face sanctions, which include points deductions for serious breaches.

The PA news agency understands that Leeds and Burnley view the issue as a matter of sporting integrity, asking the Premier League to enforce its own rules - and a potential points deduction - if Everton are found guilty of breaching financial regulations. The Toffees say they have complied with the rules.

Leeds and Burnley, one of whom will be relegated on the final day of the season on Sunday, had been involved in a three-way relegation battle with Everton.

But Frank Lampard's side secured their top-flight safety on Thursday by beating Crystal Palace 3-2 at Goodison Park.

The Premier League declined to comment when contacted by the PA news agency, as did Leeds and Burnley.

Losses caused by the Covid pandemic can be written off, but Leeds and Burnley have raised concerns over Everton's losses.

Everton's pandemic-related losses were more than three times that of other similarly-sized clubs.

The Merseyside club announced their annual results in March and said £170m of the losses were related to the "dramatic and ongoing financial impact" of the Covid