The Premier League made history after handing Everton a record 10-point deduction for breaching FFP laws – but the Merseysiders could be handed a lifeline later this season.
That's after football finance expert Kieran Maguire said he believes Sean Dyche's side will succeed with their appeal against the punishment for breaking profit and sustainability rules. Everton were given the biggest deduction in the history of England's top flight after overspending by £19.8million between the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons.
It's led to calls of corruption and protests from throngs of Toffees fans, many of whom were stunned by the scale of the punishment. But there is hope the club will get a lighter fine after appealing the independent commission's verdict, with money guru Maguire convinced those in power will ease back on the initial decision.
READ MORE: Sean Dyche urges Everton players to take on next fight after points deduction blow
READ MORE: Everton fans protest points deduction and make anger known during Man Utd game
“Everton’s punishment is broadly in line with the suggested tariff of the Premier League, although the commission didn’t take that into consideration,” Maguire recently told Football Insider. “It’s certainly at the upper end of the scale.
“Given that this is very much a test case, I think there is certainly justification for saying it should have been a smaller points deduction with a further deduction suspended. The commission then could have made it very clear that future indiscretions from a financial point of view would have been treated more severely and to give guidance to clubs."
Is Everton's points deduction a fair punishment or overly harsh? Let us know in the comments section below.
Everton supporters turned out in force ahead of and during Sunday's 3-0 loss at home to Manchester United, voicing their disdain for the severity of their penalty. Many have pointed to champions Manchester City, who have been under investigation for 115 alleged breaches of FFP laws but have yet to receive any punishment.
Maguire outlined the Premier League was initially seeking a 12-point deduction for Everton before arriving on the slightly lesser figure. However, he went on to suggest "Everton will not end up with 10 points [deducted]" when all is said and done.
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“I think one of the frustrations from Everton’s point of view is that the breach was only £20m over three years," he continued. "Now that is a lot of money to the average person in the street, but to a business which is turning over £200million a year – you could argue that it’s less so."
Dyche, 52, faces a mighty task in steering Everton to safety again this season in light of recent developments. The Toffees were close to mid-table prior to their punishment but have since sunk to 19th and are five points from safety as things stand.
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