Everton are still yet to hear back from the Premier League regarding their second PSR sanction.
The first, which saw them handed the harshest points deduction in top-flight history, drew mass scorn, particularly from those on Merseyside.
And although it was later reduced, the fact Nottingham Forest recently got four points themselves only added to the furore.
Well, it is always nice to see pundits stick up for the Toffees during this plight.
Nigel Winterburn slams the Premier League
Many media personalities have admittedly been vocal in their distaste for the Premier League’s rulings this season, but little has altered.
After all, it would take something miraculous to truly move a counteracting movement that would inspire any kind of change within this institution which has already punished two teams and already has its sights set on Leicester City.
Yet, both Chelsea and Manchester City, as the usual mainstays within the division’s traditional ‘top six’ and huge commercial assets, have still gone unpunished.
Nigel Winterburn, who played with Arsenal for 13 successful years, has sought to offer his verdict on the disastrous potential conclusion of this campaign, should things not be sorted.
He noted: ‘My gut feeling is that the system is not quite right.
‘They need to evaluate it and assess the rules. There are so many confusing instances to look at this season, I just hope we don’t end up playing the last game still unsure about who is relegated and who’s not. For the Premier League, that would be an absolute disaster.
‘I was listening to an ex-chairman the other day. He mentioned that sometimes the only way to keep in line with the rules of Financial Fair Play is to sell the players that you’ve brought through your academy, because that is where the most value is.
‘He thought that academy players shouldn’t contribute to Financial Fair Play because every supporter wants to see players coming through the academy, particularly those who have been there for a very long time, and to have to sell those players to meet the rules and regulations doesn’t sit well with me or the supporters.’
Everton have been treated terribly this season
For many years now Evertonians have felt like their club was being harshly treated, always on the wrong end of refereeing decisions, and forced to quieten down their operations in the transfer market due to restrictions.
However, every other season pails in comparison to this one, where they have been shown what true misery feels like.
Having made tangible progress under Sean Dyche, it was heartbreaking to see it pulled away through a ten-point deduction, later reduced to six.
And yet, even with this landmark punishment, another PSR hearing concluded just last week, and they still await that outcome.
Both they and Nottingham Forest have good reason to feel aggrieved at their harsh treatment, but there is nothing they can do. The best way to prove the Premier League wrong is to survive, but ultimately that would do little.
Because, after all, it does not upset their money-makers: that aforementioned ‘big six’.