Martin Keown reacts live on talkSPORT as ‘huge’ Everton news emerges in last few hours
Martin Keown has been shocked by the 10-point deduction Everton have been handed out for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday (17 November, 12:28pm), the pundit said it is one of those “huge moments” after an independent commission handed out the points deduction following the Toffees admitting they had exceeded their spending limits in the 2021/22 season [BBC Sport].
He believes the decision wouldn’t have been taken “lightly”, with the Blues already confirming in a club statement that they intend to appeal the ruling.
“Well, it’s a shock,” said Keown. “One of the huge moments. I assume they’re going to appeal. There will be a sort of due process to deal with that.
“There was an indication that some of these other clubs wanted to sue Everton, didn’t they? Because, obviously, you’re taking points off them now, did it really affect this season or last season in terms of clubs going down in previous seasons where the regulations were broken?
“It seems an awful lot, but at the end of the day, financial fair play is there for a reason. The determination I would imagine with an independent tribunal will have gone through the figures and they haven’t done this lightly.”
Harsh
It does seem a pretty harsh punishment that has been handed out to Everton after this issue has been rumbling on over the past few months.
While a points deduction had been recommended by the Premier League to the commission, there were very few people who felt it would be as severe as this.
The Toffees have made it clear that they are extremely disappointed by the decision and that they intend to appeal the decision in due course.
The deduction has seen the Blues drop immediately down to 19th in the Premier League table, leaving them two points from safety behind Luton Town.
Although it is a massive blow, Sean Dyche’s side will feel they can beat the drop again this season after picking up a number of excellent results over the past few weeks.
In other Everton news, a billionaire-owned club may have to pay up to £45million to sign a Toffees star.