The tension is rising as Everton wait to find out the verdict of their appeal against their Premier League 10-point deduction.
The Toffees formally appealed their deduction two months ago after the Premier League opted to produce an unprecedented punishment for a Financial Fair Play breach.
Everton believe the punishment is disproportionate and unjust, with Sean Dyche’s side currently in the relegation zone as a result.
Everton are set to hear the result of their appeal next week, with mixed messages received from the Premier League.
With a lack of clarity around the situation, one club legend has called for the Premier League’s managing director, Richard Masters, to step down as a result.
Alan Stubbs calls for Richard Masters’ resignation
Talking to Toffee TV, Alan Stubbs believes the delay is causing Dyche and the players issues, with the current points tally potentially being altered once more.
“You only have to listen to James Tarkowski last week – it is an issue,” he told Toffee TV.
“The players are playing for their Premier League survival, their futures.”
Stubbs also suggested that people’s livelihoods are at stake and that Masters should walk no matter the outcome.
He added: “This is a matter of urgency and we are still hanging by your coattails regarding a decision. It could be Wednesday, it could be Friday. These are people’s lives they’re playing with here.
“For me, irrespective of the outcome, he [Richard Maters] should walk.”
These unprecedented circumstances must have been extremely hard for Dyche and the players, and Everton’s drop in form could have come as a result.
The Everton boss is rightfully aggrieved by the punishment but has always insisted his focus remains firmly on the pitch.
“Like everyone in these parts, I was shocked. [From] the wave of noise, it seems like everyone in football was shocked,” Dyche told BBC Sport back in November.
“It doesn’t change the focus, which is sorting things out on the pitch, getting the team to win and the performances to feel different.”
Everton host Crystal Palace on Monday evening, looking to register their first win of 2024. With Luton Town hosting an in-form Manchester United on Sunday, a win could pull the Toffees out of the relegation zone ahead of the appeal verdict next week.
Should the best-case scenario occur and points be rewarded, Everton could quickly find themselves clear of trouble.
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