Belief that Everton points deduction will be reduced as Cas update emerges - report
Source: Goodisonnews

There is a belief that the 10-point deduction imposed on Everton "will come down on appeal" among sources connected to the club, according to The Independent.

Miguel Delaney reported for the paper's website on 17 November that the record-breaking Premier League punishment may be less of a concern to the club than the threat of "long legal cases" relating to compensation claims from Leeds United, Leicester City, Burnley and potentially Southampton.

That is because the points deduction itself has only sent the Toffees down to 19th in the league table and two points from the safety of 16th, but also due to an expectation that the punishment will be reduced.

Everton have 14 days to launch their appeal and immediately indicated their intention to do so once the news was announced.

However, if the original decision is upheld they are reportedly not able to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as a final resort.

The heaviest points deduction in English top flight football history seems like an excessive punishment for a club whose finances have been heavily affected by a number of factors that could not have been foreseen.

So a reduction in that punishment seems like a reasonable expectation following an appeal hearing in theory, but there surely can't be a huge amount of confidence in any outcome at this stage.

Everton had originally held the belief that they had not breached profit and sustainability rules at all, but then acknowledged they had did in a pre-hearing on 4 October last month [Times, 17 November], before a disagreement over to what extent.

And either way, if the football authorities are seeking to make an example of the Toffees to demonstrate their ability to govern the game without a the input of an independent regulator it is difficult to predict how an appeal might turn out.

A few points back on the board would certainly be helpful for Sean Dyche and his players, but on current form there appears to be enough teams in the top flight worse over the course of this season.

It would be far more concerning if huge amounts did have to be paid out to other teams, especially if that creates a knock-on effect of greater financial problems and a potential second deduction.

But if an appeal can water down the punishment at least it would be a step in the right direction for the club.

In other Everton news, the club claim a Premier League rival "took advantage" of them for millions to contribute to the problem.

{{#primary_category}} {{primary_category}}

{{/primary_category}} {{author_name}} {{date_formatted}}

Jamie Carragher makes Everton relegation prediction after 10-point penalty for FFP breach