The Premier League are facing urgent questions from top-flight clubs over their decision to charge Everton with breaching spending rules just nine months after insisting that they had no case to answer.
Sportsmail has learned that Premier League executives told the clubs at a shareholders' meeting last March that there were no concerns about potential breaches at Goodison Park, whilst at a subsequent meeting in the summer they were informed that Everton would be permitted to sign players during the transfer window as they were working with the Premier League to ensure they were compliant.
Everton were shocked to be charged with spending breaches on Friday afternoon as they have been submitting all major financial transactions such as new signings and player contracts to the Premier League for approval for two years, but other clubs are also frustrated at the timing of the charges, which could have an impact on the relegation battle for a second successive season.