Everton points deduction: Keith Wyness concerned as he learns club’s top expert stood down
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has claimed the non-involvement of “super silk” Lawrence Rabinowitz KC is “not good” for the Toffees in their third FFP hearing.
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 – nevertheless insisted he is hopeful that an independent commission would hand Everton a small suspended points deduction.
Everton’s hearing for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for a second time got underway on Monday (25 March).
The Toffees were handed a six-point deduction (reduced from 10 after appeal) for their first breach.
Rabinowitz was involved in the appeal hearing and has helped Everton prepare for their second case – but will not be present at the independent commission this time.
Rabinowitz absence is ‘not good’ but Wyness positive about Everton hearing
Sean Dyche’s side can expect to learn if they have been deducted more points by 8 April following guidance from the Premier League.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I read everything I can about it and there are rumours on both sides.
“Everything from another big points deduction, down to no points. Everyone has an opinion, and the reality is that no one knows what will happen.
“I do believe there is a very strong legal argument for double jeopardy to be a mitigating factor.
“The other mitigating factors have also got to be looked at, and hopefully this commission can come to a different decision than the first and second ones did.
“Here we are, on hearing number three – still trying to second guess.
“I have just heard that the so-called super silk, Laurence Rabinowitz, is not acting for Everton in this third case. That’s not good.
“I’d rather have had him, but I’m sure the cost is a big factor right now. You can’t just throw these hefty legal bills at it.
“I’m hopeful that it will be a suspended, smaller points deduction.
“If nothing else, that’s where we’ve got to start getting to with these cases.”
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