Kieran Maguire issues ‘serious’ Everton points deduction warning – ‘within five weeks’

Everton should use Reading’s points deduction as a ‘warning’ that they could face punishment as early as this season.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about potential penalties against Everton in their Financial Fair Play investigation.

As reported by the Daily Mail (31 March), the Premier League has informed clubs that the investigation into Everton’s finances could be concluded this season.

The Toffees have been charged with breaching spending rules and could face a points deduction if found guilty.

Reading were handed a six-point deduction earlier this month for breaching the terms of an agreed business plan, and a similar punishment to Everton would see them plunge into the relegation zone.

Maguire believes a penalty this late into the season would call the integrity of the Premier League into question, but insisted the Reading penalty should act as a warning.

“Everton’s case appears to focus on one single transaction,” Maguire told Football Insider.

If this is the case, then in theory a commission could be formed, given time to review the evidence and concluded in a much shorter time frame.

“However this could call the integrity of the Premier League into question if a decision is made with only a few weeks remaining in the season.

Managers, players and fans would have all watched matches where a team may have changed their approach if they were aware of a points deduction.

Everton

“Never say never in the world of football finance, but Everton could certainly have an appeal against a points deduction this season.

However, the Reading case was reported and settled within five weeks so that serves as a serious warning to Everton.

In other news, Dele Alli flies back to England as Everton set to terminate contract