Everton have been docked 10 points by the Premier League, and, as you can imagine, they’re looking to appeal this decision.
The Merseyside club are hoping to have their punishment reduced, and their case is set to be heard in the coming weeks.
So, what chance do Everton have of winning this appeal. Well, according to Sam Matterface, speaking on the TalkSPORT Premier League All Access Podcast, there is an argument that Everton can make to overturn this decision.
Matterface says he has spoken to legal experts on this matter, and he’s been told that the only way Everton can win their appeal is if they can successfully argument that the punishment isn’t befitting of the breach. However, the Premier League have apparently based this punishment on two points for every year that Everton are said to have benefitted from breaching FFP rules.
Everton’s appeal based on how harsh they feel the punishment is
Matterface shared what he knows about this situation.
“The legal experts I have spoken to suggest the only way they can get an appeal is because they feel the punishment is harsh, but the penalty is meant to be two points for every year that they have benefitted,” Matterface said.
Not all their fault
Obviously, these appeals are very complicated and a lot goes into it, but we can’t help but feel like the way Everton have been judged here isn’t completely their fault.
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By this logic, Everton have been docked 10 points for five years worth of indiscretions, but surely that length of time is partially the Premier League’s fault for not clamping down on this issue sooner.
If the Premier League had noted these issues each season and docked two points per incident in a timely, that would’ve felt fair but 10 points all at once for five seasons worth of marginal benefit does seem a bit harsh.
It’s hard to completely blame Everton for what is a flaw in the entire system.