Alan Myers suggests that the punishment meted out to Everton after the appeal acted as a “precedent” after Nottingham Forest were docked four points for breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules.
Everton were initially handed a massive ten-point deduction, an unprecedented punishment in the history of the league, and it was later reduced to six points after a successful appeal.
The Toffees will face a second hearing shortly and they are likely to be docked points as well. The independent commission has explained in their report that Forest have co-operated with them from the beginning, whereas Everton provided them with “incorrect information”.
It has come as a big surprise to many that Forest, who have breached the financial losses by £34.5m, have been deducted only four points, whereas Everton were in breach by £19.5m were docked six. Sky Sports journalist Ben Grounds wrote on X – “couldn’t make it up.”
Myers wrote on X: “It appears to me Everton’s previous case and subsequent appeal has now acted as precedent, the original 10 points reduced to 6 on appeal clearly a disadvantage as now the starting point is 6, and not 10 (have I got that right).
Everton must be worried about the second deduction
The Toffees are set to face another deduction and it can have a massive impact on their survival hopes. If they get anything around three to four points deduction, they will probably be able to stay up in the league.
However, if they are docked six points again, it will become difficult for them to survive in the Premier League. Unless they start to perform miraculously and get some crucial wins, and hence important points on the table, their survival hopes could be on the line.
Moreover, the uncertainty over the club’s takeover has hampered them badly. The only way, Everton can turn it around is by winning the majority of their remaining games. They must look to beat teams like Burnley, Forest, Luton and Sheffield United to boost their survival chances irrespective of what happens off the pitch.
