Everton: Football agent gives Financial Fair Play verdict amid points deduction threat
Football agent Craig Honeyman has given a “finally” verdict amid news that Everton are facing a potentially huge points deduction if found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday (25 October) that the Premier League has recommended Everton are hit with a deduction of up to 12 points if they lose their ongoing case.
Everton will have that threat hanging over them when they head to West Ham on Sunday (29 October) for their first match since those reports emerged.
Previewing the game for The PreMatch Podcast [27 October, 29m 20s], Honeyman – who has the likes of David Ornstein and Ian Wright among his Twitter followers – said: “West Ham will comfortably beat Everton. Comfortably. I’d say 3-0 to West Ham.
“There’s lots of talk off the pitch for Everton, with financial fair play looking like it’s going to bite them – finally.”
Opportunity
There is little doubt that being deducted 12 points would relegate Everton if their early-season form is anything to go by.
But this is the worst-case scenario as it is “up to” 12 points they will be deducted, meaning it could be as little as just one or two points.
That is assuming they lose the case, too, and the club have made it clear that they do not believe they deserve to be penalised for their losses.
It is a complicated case, explaining why a decision is not likely until later in the year. That just adds to the uncertainty around Goodison Park.
It is important that the players pick up as many points as possible on the field in the meantime in case that doomsday scenario becomes real.
West Ham have not exactly been flying over the past month or so, so this could be an opportunity to pick up three vital points on the road.
Either way, it is just nice to actually be talking about events on the field for a change.
In other Everton news, Sean Dyche will be forced into a change against West Ham.