MANCHESTER UNITED and Everton will be investigated by the Premier League over keeper Tim Howard's absence from their crucial clash at Goodison Park. Premier League chiefs were shocked to discover the Everton No1 did not play in the 4-2 defeat against his former team-mates last week because of an "arrangement" between the clubs.
United and Everton could face huge fines or even points deductions with Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson confirming: "We will be contacting both clubs as a matter of urgency to find out what has gone on.
"As Howard's is a permanent transfer there is no reason why he could not have played against Manchester United.
"Had such a clause been included in the transfer we would not have allowed it – it would have been a clear case of third party interference.
"We certainly have no record of an agreement between Everton and United that Howard could not play on April 28."
Dramatic
Yet, earlier this week, Everton confirmed Howard had been ruled out of the game on United's insistence.
Howard's absence certainly had a dramatic impact on the game, with his replacement-Iain Turner-dropping the ball to let United claw back from 2-0 down and win 4-2.
Everton spokesman Ian Ross explained that as a condition of making the loan deal permanent in February, United had demanded Howard did not play on April 28.
The agreement was so precise, it only became effective if United were still involved in the title race.
Ross said Everton had no choice otherwise United would have kept the transfer as a loan deal until the end of the season, and manager David Moyes wanted to sign Howard up before he faced competition from rivals.
Yet this would be interpreted by the Premier League as third party interference – Manchester United having a direct influence on Everton's policy and performance.
Although the Howard transfer went through in February, loan deals can be made permanent at any time.
Guilty
The issue of third party interference is particularly significant after the £5.5M fine handed West Ham for fielding Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano while they were owned by outside agents.
At least four Premier League chairmen are now consulting lawyers, insisting that West Ham should have been deducted points.
This clearly presents the Premier League with a huge headache, if Manchester United and Everton are found to be guilty of a more serious breach of the same offence.
United are eight points clear of challengers Chelsea, who will now be monitoring the situation.
Ironically, Everton will pocket an extra £500,000 if United win the title as part of the Wayne Rooney deal.
© 2007 News of the World