Everton and Nottingham Forest are bracing for potential referral to an independent commission regarding alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations. 

New guidelines aim to expedite the resolution of financial rule violations within the same season charges are brought, with official notifications expected on Monday. 

Everton, already appealing a 10-point deduction, faces vulnerability to a second charge due to financial challenges and a stadium project. Forest, like Manchester City before them, could be the second top-flight club charged with violating PSR.

Under PSR, clubs can incur a maximum of £105 million in losses over a rolling three-year reporting cycle. 

Forest’s calculations are complicated by their recent promotion, limiting their losses to £61 million, with £13 million for their Championship seasons and £35 million for their first Premier League season. Everton’s situation is heightened by owner Farhad Moshiri’s financial issues and a £760 million new stadium project.

Both clubs have prepared mitigation strategies and are expected to strongly argue their cases. 

Forest may highlight the £47.5 million sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur post-accounting cut-off as mitigation, while Everton’s defense will likely focus on the expenditure around the Bramley-Moore Dock project.

Clubs submitted accounts for the 2022-23 season by December 31, and any breaches and subsequent charges were confirmed 14 days later. 

An independent commission hearing will follow, with clubs retaining the right to appeal. 

Everton became the second top-flight club charged in March, following Manchester City’s over 100 charges in February. 

The outcome of City’s case is pending, with a verdict likely to take considerable time. 

Forest currently sits 15th in the Premier League, four points clear of relegation, while Everton is 17th, a point above 18th-placed Luton Town with an additional game played.