A BBC Sport journalist has had his say on whether Everton’s point deduction could actually be increased.
Speaking in a BBC Q&A, Phil McNulty stated that the Toffees were ready to appeal the Premier League’s decision ‘very strenuously’.
Everton were found guilty of breaching financial fair play rules after they spent £20 million over the maximum losses that top flight clubs are allowed to post over a three-year period.
Sean Dyche‘s side admitted to the breach and were expected to be handed a point deduction, though the hefty 10-point deduction was heavily criticised.
Everton have made it clear that they will appeal the decision and fans have since reacted by holding protests against the Premier League during their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, with thousands of supporters holding up signs claiming the league is ‘corrupt’.
On Monday, Phil McNulty was asked whether this behaviour from Everton could potentially result in an increased deduction. However, the journalist said there was ‘not a chance’ of that happening.
McNulty said: “Everton have never accused the Premier League of being “corrupt” at any stage. It was the Everton supporters holding up those signs.
“Everton have made their anger and sense of injustice at the Independent Commission’s decision clear – and my opinion is that a 10-point deduction is a very harsh penalty – which they are perfectly entitled to do and will clearly fight this very strenuously on appeal.
“As for the points deduction being increased – not a chance.”
Will Everton’s ten point deduction even change?
The Premier League won’t be very happy at Everton fans’ reaction to their point deduction, but to consider docking them even more points would be crazy!
The Toffees’ severity of punishment all lies on their position with Manchester City, as they will know they cant dock Everton 10+ points and then be much more lenient with the treble winners.
So to knock a further two points from Everton’s tally would only mean they would have to push Man City even further down to the league table when they are eventually punished.
It is still unclear whether the Merseyside outfit will see their deduction reduced though, with the weekend’s defeat maybe kicking up the nerves at Goodison Park now.
Many pundits and fans expect the Toffees to avoid relegation still, though Luton Town’s win over Crystal Palace has left Sean Dyche’s side five points from safety.
Everton’s busy festive period could now go one of two ways, and it could all be sculpted by their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
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