Kieran Maguire shares ‘relaxed’ Everton FFP verdict live on talkSPORT as new point deduction mooted
Kieran Maguire has shared his verdict on the possibility of a further point deduction for Everton, admitting he is “relaxed” about the Toffees’ current financial situation.
Reports have emerged that the Toffees could be set to face a second potential points deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules in the next two weeks having submitted their accounts at the end of 2023 [The Times, 2 January].
While supporters on the blue side of Merseyside have been worried about the prospect of being hit with a second punishment this season, football finance expert Maguire has played down the chances of that happening.
Speaking on talkSPORT (3 January, 11:11) he said: “I’m a bit more relaxed on Everton. Again the sale of Anthony Gordon will have helped them. The Everton appeal is going to be the big issue as far as this season is concerned.
“Everton are confident that they will have a reduction in the points deduction. In an ideal world from their point of view, it will be wiped out all altogether.
“There’s a case for saying you should reset the clock and allow Everton to go forward with a zero balance and move forward from there. But if you take a look at the small print as far as the Premier League is concerned it is assessed on a rolling three-year period.
“They have shifted some big earners off the payroll as well so I don’t anticipate an issue there, but I can absolutely understand the argument put forward by the people who care about the club.”
Relaxed
It will be welcome news to Everton supporters that Maguire feels “relaxed” about the prospect of the Toffees accounts this season and doesn’t at all feel stressed at the prospect of a further points deduction being handed down this season.
The sale of Gordon to Newcastle United looks to have been a crucial step in balancing the books at Goodison Park and ensuring that the Toffees don’t suffer a similar fate in 2024 as they did in 2023 and may well have helped Everton keep their head above the water.
Shifting the likes of Neal Maupay, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Yerry Mina, Alex Iwobi and Demari Gray off of the wage bill this summer is a crucial step as well as it has allowed the Toffees to reduce their outgoings and spending massively.
While it remains frustrating that the clock isn’t set back to zero following the points deduction as Maguire suggested, the most important thing for Everton and their supporters is the fact that nobody is anticipating further issues at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, the Toffees could be set for a surprise financial boost should Antonee Robinson leave Fulham in January