Keith Wyness suggests Newcastle taking legal action after UEFA 'make a stand' with latest punishment
UEFA are making an example out of Newcastle United after they breached their squad cost rules in 2025-26.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is strongly against the rules that are put in place for European competitions.
This comes after the news that the Magpies are set to face a lighter punishment than the £9.5million fine received by Aston Villa last season.
Wyness believes that it is now only a matter of time before clubs are ready to begin taking legal action to try to challenge UEFA on matters like this.
The governing body are keen to crack down on overspending from clubs in their elite competitions, something Wyness feels does not have the desired effect.
The Tynesiders are currently waiting for the exact weight of their punishment to be finalised, and they do not have European football to contend with next term.
Newcastle could consider 'restraint on trade' defence
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that legal action from clubs is potentially just around the corner when it comes to issues like this.
He made it clear that he feels the restrictions from UEFA are meaningless, given the regularity with which they have been broken in recent years.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested that he thinks clubs have grounds to challenge UEFA on this issue under the grounds of "restraint on trade."
"These are rules that I tend to disagree with because they actually mean nothing. Honestly, what is £9m these days to Premier League clubs with the sort of money that's flying around?" he said.
"They're not really the kind of rules that are meant to really discourage things. However, UEFA are making a stand on it, and there'll be other things they're going to be looking at.
"I think there could soon be legal grounds for clubs to challenge these sorts of things as a restraint of trade. It's something they've got to keep an eye on.
"I don't think the fine will be an issue for Newcastle. And certainly with Anthony Gordon and those sorts of sales going forward, they should be OK, as long as UEFA can see a trend towards those budgets being met."
PIF slammed for 'knee-jerk' Eddie Howe call
Wyness previously told Football Insider back in April that he felt PIF were running Newcastle "by committee" as uncertainty swirled regarding Eddie Howe's future as manager.
The former boardroom man feels that the Magpies' Saudi ownership are not taking responsibility for the big calls at St James' Park, and are allowing influence from elsewhere to creep in.
Wyness made it clear that they need to act with business experience when it comes to deciding the future of their manager, and not make a "knee-jerk" call.
Howe has been under pressure from the fanbase after a lacklustre season on the pitch, but has helped to take Newcastle to new heights in recent years.