Everton and their unwavering fanbase have all been left scratching their heads over how the Premier League have come to certain decisions this season.
First, their attempts to see the Toffees deducted 12 points marked a gross exaggeration of the laws, and a blatant attempt to relegate the club. Eventually settling on ten, it was unbelievable that the independent commission had agreed with the bulk of their points.
Later reduced to six, there was still widespread condemnation, but it marked a huge decrease in what could have been.
But with Nottingham Forest having now only been deducted four points for arguably a more extreme breach, further questions have been thrown up about the legitimacy of this process.
Paul Quinn, writer and finance guru, has sought to answer some.
What The Esk said about Everton’s deduction
Better known as ‘The Esk’ on X, he has been relentless in providing the fans with regular updates on the grim financial reality of this football club.
In the first of two tweets, he details the confusion held regarding the outcome that the independent commission reached whilst deliberating over Forest’s potential punishment.
After all, it is a real head-scratching outcome, especially when compared to the six points Everton have been handed, which was initially ten.
Quinn notes: ‘What is not clear is why if using the #EFL starting point of 3 points (as referenced in the #NFFC case) & even after applying mitigation/aggravation, #EFC ended up with 6 points. The #NFFC case result yesterday only highlights the inappropriate size of Everton’s post appeal sanction’.
However, he then offers a glimmer of hope in his prediction for the Toffees’ second PSR hearing: ‘It also means that any possible sanctions applied for Everton’s 2nd charge start at 3 points, should be then reduced by 2/3 (double jeopardy) & further mitigation applied. A maximum of 1 point quite probably & properly reduced to 0 with mitigation.’
Will Everton receive another points deduction?
Well, whilst The Esk seems to have answered that question, it is unfortunately a topic that is up for debate.
And when it comes to a situation like this, that should never be the case.
The Premier League should have a strict, unflinching set of guidelines that detail exactly what is to happen in every single situation. It would remove all doubt, an ensure that there were no appeals or complaints to be had in the future. The decision would be final.
However, such is the case with this current debacle, and PSR could not be further from that.
They are vague, uninspiring and downright unfair, allowing the Premier League and each new independent commission they hire to come up with their own interpretation of the law.
So, the Toffees might get a commission even more lenient than Forest’s, who will let them off with little punishment.
Or, they could get another one similar to their first, who somehow came to a ten-point conclusion.
There is too much subjectivity involved in the enforcement of these rules, and it is stripping away any integrity the Premier League had left. As such, whether Everton are deducted more points is down to the leniency of a panel yet to be revealed.