Everton points deduction appeal: Wyness is 'bullish' about 'reduction' after 'robust case'
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Everton points deduction appeal: Wyness is 'bullish' about 'reduction' after 'robust case'

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Everton appeal verdict is expected very soon and ex-chief executive Keith Wyness is 'bullish'

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has insisted the Toffees could see their 10-point deduction removed within days - with a fine or suspended penalty being applied instead.

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 Premier League could "save face" by removing the punishment after appeal.

Everton are expected to learn the results of their appeal against the 10-point deduction they received earlier this season in mid-February - meaning news could be just days away.

The penalty has plunged them into the Premier League relegation zone and they are one point from safety with 15 games remaining this term.

Sean Dyche's side would be 12th without the deduction - just one place and two points behind Chelsea.

Everton are also facing a separate charge of breaching Profitability and Sustainability Regulations and are expected to learn the outcome of that case in April.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’m bullish on a positive outcome close to Valentine’s Day - hopefully a bouquet of roses rather than the thorns we’ve been getting recently.

“I think the signs, which everyone is frantically looking for, show a bit of a change in the media narrative about a positive outcome for Everton.

“The new lawyer, Laurence Rabinowitz KC, who has handled the appeal has put forward a really robust case.

“Interestingly, the clubs are told not to comment in any way during the process, yet the Premier League put out press releases and background briefings the night before the appeal.

“I think the league have got themselves in a real mess and the positive outcome would be a reduction in the points deduction.

Former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness is well connected in football (Credit: Getty Images)
Former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness is well connected in football (Credit: Getty Images)

“It may even go as far as taking the deduction away and replacing it with a suspended punishment.

“I think there may well be a fine instead of the deduction - that’s the only way the Premier League can save some face here with the mess they’ve created.”

In other news, Everton set new Amadou Onana asking price amid Arsenal and Newcastle interest.

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