Everton appeal: Wyness fumes at ‘unfair punishment’ from Premier League
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has claimed the delay in the verdict on the club’s point deduction appeal is becoming “unfair punishment” in itself.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the uncertainty will be having an “immense” impact on the livelihoods of Toffees players and staff.
Everton were docked 10 points in November 2023 after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The club appealed that decision and that hearing concluded at the start of February – with the verdict expected to be released within days.
Everton have been dragged into a relegation fight due to the deduction and will be promoted to 12th in the table if it is removed.
‘This has gone way beyond a sporting penalty’, warns Wyness about Everton points deduction
The uncertainty comes amid a backdrop of financial issues as controversial US-based investors 777 Partners struggle to finalise a takeover at Goodison Park.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Given the mess the Premier League have made of this whole situation, I’ve got no real faith that they’re going to come to the right conclusion.
“I’m aware of the complexity of an appeal of this nature and the QC’s arguments.
“I know these things take time in the legal world.
“But given the public scrutiny and the impact it has on everyone at Everton, I think it’s incumbent on the Premier League to expedite this.
“The points are going to be gold dust.
“It’s becoming unfair punishment, and that may well be one of the arguments put forward by the club.
“The ripple effect has gone way beyond a sporting penalty because of the threat of relegation.
“It affects livelihoods. Not just of the players, but of the staff too. It’s immense.
“It’s human nature to worry when there’s a vacuum that misinformation can fill.”
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