Everton: Sky Sports pundit reacts as CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale goes silent amid looming FFP charge and regulator
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell doesn’t believe there would be any benefit to Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale making public statements due to the level of distrust the fans have with the board.
The Toffees have been charged with a potential breach of profit and sustainability regulations by the Premier League, at a time when the body is under pressure from the prospect of an independent regulator being set up to take matters out of their hands.
With Barrett-Baxendale a part of the original advisory panel that proposed it, Martin Samuel noted in The Times (15 April) that the Everton board member had gone very quiet since the prospect emerged that Goodison Park would be one of the first places a regulator would start looking, but former captain Campbell doesn’t think there would be anything gained from her coming out and speaking.
The Sky Sports pundit spoke exclusively to Goodison News and said to the idea that fans should hear more from her: “Not necessarily, because there’s a big mistrust and gap between the fans and the board.
“So the board probably feel that they don’t need to explain to the fanbase because the fanbase isn’t listening.
“And the fanbase don’t want to hear from the board because letters like [Bill Kenwright’s] come out that actually go against their feelings.
“So it’s a no-win situation, and it does the club no favours right now getting people to talk.
“If the structure was right in how to talk and how to deliver, then you wouldn’t have this [stuff] come out that riles the fans up.
“It makes no sense, the timing is just so off. It’s a shame, it really is a shame.“
The most recent public communication from board to supporters was the chairman’s open letter to the All Together Now movement on 21 April, on the eve of the goalless draw at Crystal Palace, which went down like somewhat of a lead balloon with supporters due to its timing and contents.
If that is how it would go for Barrett-Baxendale to make any statement then it is probably best left until at least the end of the season, to avoid any additional distractions to the team.
Sean Dyche has his side a point and a place outside the relegation zone with two games remaining after another draining campaign, so unless and until safety is secured it is unlikely that board messages would be well received.