Everton have just been docked 10 points in the Premier League.
It’s the first time in over a decade that a top-flight English club have received a points deduction, and, as you can imagine, it’s panic stations at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have already stated that they plan to appeal, and speaking on Sky Sports News (17/11/23 1.15pm), Rob Dorsett has shared an update on what’s happening behind the scenes on Merseyside.
Dorsett says that he’s spoken to a sports lawyer about this situation, and he’s led to believe that Everton will now be working hard to change this sanction into a suspended points deduction rather than an immediate docking of points.
Everton working hard to get suspended deduction
Dorsett shared what he’s heard.
“I’ve just spoken to a very prominent sports lawyer that has been involved with these sorts of issues that Everton are facing right now and the Premier League regarding this 10 point deduction and this lawyer has explained to me that is a little bit unusual for this points deduction to be imposed with immediate affect. Everton have gone level on points with Burnley right at the bottom of the Premier League because of this immediate point deduction,” Dorsett said.
“He’s told me this sports lawyer will be working very, very hard to make sure that that point deduction is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal against the decision of this independent panel.
“That will be significant because the league table right now would look very, very different and Everton would remain with the full points they have as things stand with the potential for a 10 point deduction later in the season if and when the appeal is concluded.
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“That might seem semantics but from an Everton perspective it would be seen as very important if they could remove that 10 point deduction and have it as a suspended deduction they would still be happily sitting many places above the relegation places.
While we’re talking to you now it’s pretty clear a lot of legal discussions are going on behind the scenes and Everton lawyers are clearly very busy trying to work out how they can best serve the club.
“But one thing I have been told that they will almost certainly be working is trying to get that 10 points deduction suspended pending on appeal. That has happened a number of times in the past, you need to look at Serie A for example where Juventus were given a points deduction earlier on in the season and because they appealed against the decision the points deduction didn’t come in with immediate effect, that’s the sort of precedent Everton’s lawyers will be looking at.”
Might not matter
As much as getting a suspended deduction awaiting appeal may be what Everton want, ultimately, it may not matter that much.
As Dawson says, for the time being, it’s just semantics.
Yes, Everton would be on 14 points if they were to get this deduction suspended awaiting appeal, but everyone in the game would be looking at the league table with an asterisk next to the Toffees’ name thinking that their -10 point penalty could come in at any moment.
It may sound strange, but it may be best for Everton to bite the bullet and take the penalty until the appeal. After all, Sean Dyche is a master at fighting back from the bottom, and that siege mentality could be just what Everton need to fight out of this situation on the pitch, even if they have been tipped for the drop.