Keith Wyness explodes at Premier League as Everton lose out on £20m
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has hit out at the Premier League with his old side having to pay “ridiculous” legal fees because of “badly-written rules”.
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 – claimed the Merseysiders have been cost “£20million” in total after their brushes with financial rules.
The Times has reported (4 September) that the Premier League has failed in its attempt to force the club into covering its full £4.9million legal costs for their Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) case.
Everton have instead been ordered to pay just £1.7million of the total bill, leaving the governing body to pay the remaining £3.2million.
The Toffees were deducted eight points last term for two separate PSR breaches and will face another hearing in the 2024-25 campaign.
Wyness hits out at ‘ridiculous’ Everton news
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The rules are for sustainability. How does this possibly help the sustainability of a club like Everton?
“Everton are having to pay these ridiculous legal charges, trumped up charges, because of badly-written rules.
“Richard Masters has been trying to defend against a regulator for the Premier League, but these PSR rules are having unintended consequences.
“I reckon it’s cost nearly £20million all-in for Everton – through legal fees and the drop in league prize money.
“How does that help sustainability? The whole thing is unbelievable.
“I’ve been calling for Alison Brittain, the chair of the Premier League, to say something about this but she’s been completely invisible.
“It’s time for her to be held to account.”
In other news, Farhad Moshiri could suffer Everton takeover blow after new twist.
For more Everton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.