Everton have formally appealed against the decision to deduct the club 10 points for a breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules, with the outcome expected in the new year.
During a hearing in October, Everton acknowledged violating financial regulations according to an independent commission. However, they are disputing the severity and fairness of the punishment, which is the largest penalty ever imposed in Premier League history.
The club released a statement stating that Everton Football Club has officially filed an appeal with the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel regarding the 10-point deduction imposed by a Premier League commission. An appeal board will be selected to review the case.
Everton’s description of a “Premier League commission” differs from the league’s statement on the appeal and suggests tensions between the two over their interpretation of the commission’s independence. The Premier League said Everton had “appealed the decision of an independent commission to impose a 10-point deduction on the club, after its admission of a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules”.
The Premier League’s judicial panel chair, Murray Rosen KC, chose the three-person commission responsible for hearing Everton’s case. Rosen will also hand-pick the board to review Everton’s appeal from a 12-person judicial panel formed by the Premier League, who initiated the case. The three panelists who imposed a 10-point penalty on Everton – David Phillips KC, Alan Greenwood, and Nick Igoe – are not eligible for selection on the appeal board.
The fan advisory board (FAB) of Everton has sent a letter to Alison Brittain, the chair of the Premier League, requesting that the opinions of supporters be taken into account during the appeal process. The FAB has also condemned the league for failing to acknowledge the potential consequences of a points deduction on fans and for not fulfilling promises made during the launch of the “fan engagement standard” in March. Although the Premier League has received the letter, they have not yet issued a response.
The FAB’s chair, Dave Kelly, sent a letter stating: “The Premier League has rightly emphasized the importance of hearing the voices of supporters not just in the stands, but also when it comes to key issues concerning their clubs.” In light of this, we would like to express our concern that the Premier League did not consult with supporters during the process that resulted in what we believe to be an unfair penalty for Everton Football Club. Additionally, the Premier League did not take into consideration the opinions of supporters when deciding on potential sanctions for the breach.
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Kelly stated that the Fan Led Review aims to minimize the impact of regulatory sanctions on fans. The 10-point penalty directly affects supporters who have no control over the club’s management and have expressed concerns about its leadership, direction, and operations. This severe penalty also jeopardizes the potential benefits to the community, such as the redevelopment of North Liverpool and its contribution to job creation and the local economy.
Source: theguardian.com
