In the aftermath of Everton’s unprecedented 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, there is a prevailing belief within the club that the penalty “will come down on appeal,” as reported by The Independent.
The punishment, described as the heaviest points deduction in English top-flight football history, has sent Everton plummeting to 19th place in the league table. However, sources connected to the club suggest that the real concern lies in potential “long legal cases” stemming from compensation claims by Leeds United, Leicester City, Burnley, and potentially Southampton.
Everton has a 14-day window to launch their appeal, and the club swiftly indicated its intention to do so following the announcement of the points deduction. Nevertheless, if the initial decision is upheld, Everton may not have the option to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as a final resort.
The severity of the points deduction, considering the unforeseen financial challenges faced by the club, raises questions about the appropriateness of the penalty. While Everton had initially believed they hadn’t breached profit and sustainability rules, they acknowledged their violation in a pre-hearing on October 4, albeit with a disagreement over the extent of the breach.
The outcome of the appeal remains uncertain, especially given the possibility that football authorities aim to set an example by governing the game without the involvement of an independent regulator. A reduction in the punishment is a reasonable expectation in theory, but confidence in any specific outcome at this stage appears limited.
For Everton, a few points regained through a successful appeal would be beneficial, particularly for manager Sean Dyche and the players. However, the current form of the team raises concerns, with several teams performing worse over the course of this season.
The potential financial implications of compensation payments to other teams could exacerbate Everton’s troubles, leading to greater financial problems and a potential second deduction. Nevertheless, if a successful appeal can mitigate the punishment, it would represent a positive step for the club amid the challenging circumstances.