Michael Ball disgusted by potential ‘catastrophic’ 12-point deduction for Everton
Michael Ball has said that he finds the prospect of Everton receiving a 12-point deduction “disgusting” and such a punishment would be “catastrophic” for the Toffees.
Reports have emerged that the Premier League have requested that Sean Dyche’s side be docked 12 points, if they are to be found guilty of breaking the league’s financial regulations by an independent commission [The Telegraph, October 25].
Should that punishment be imposed, it would be the biggest points deduction ever in the Premier League and Ball has admitted that such a large punishment could well see the Toffees destined for the Championship.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo (30 October) he said: “That the Premier League are now, allegedly, pushing for a points deduction of 12 points, I find it disgusting. Something we spoke about when the European Super League came about was who are you actually punishing with these sanctions?
“It’s the fans who will be hit hardest. As a player, you can do something about losing 12 points. It’s down to you to have that siege mentality to try and turn things around on the pitch. If Everton were to be docked 12 points, in our current situation, it would be absolutely catastrophic. It is basically relegation.”
Basically relegation
So far, there is no evidence either way to suggest that the Toffees have or haven’t broken the Premier League rules and at the time of writing it is completely unknown whether or not Everton will face any sort of punishment if they are punished at all.
But the threat of a 12-point deduction has certainly released some fear and anger amongst the Goodison Park fanbase as it appears as though the Premier League are looking to make an example out of Everton for the rest of the division to see.
The fans would be hit incredibly hard by this sort of punishment as Ball writes, but it would be financially damaging for the club should the Toffees be relegated as it would see them lose the riches of the Premier League including huge broadcast deals and large transfer fees.
All in all, it would be “catastrophic” for Everton if such a larger sanction is imposed on the Toffees when the independent commission reaches their decision, but until they do, Dyche’s side has to continue picking up results on the pitch to give themselves the best chance of survival.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan has called for the Premier League’s rules to be changed following the Toffees potential point deduction