Richard Masters shares brand new Everton appeal verdict in parliament
Richard Masters has revealed the appeal against the ten-point deduction given to Everton will be held shortly, and he hopes the process will be efficient, but it will have no effect on the new charge.
The Premier League CEO was speaking in parliament on 16 January as he shared that the charge was given by an independent panel which has “nothing to do” with the Premier League and that they believe the process was followed “to the letter.”
Masters went on to explain that the decision was made with the other clubs, and their fans, in mind with respect to the fairness of the competition, clarifying that Everton remain an important part of the Premier League.
Speaking in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [16 January], Masters explained: “Everton are a very important member of the Premier League – an ever-present – but we also have to think about the other 19 clubs and their fanbases in the decisions that we make.
“On the independent commission – charging decisions like that are heard by an independent panel. The Premier League has nothing to do with it, so the decisions made in respect of the charge, and indeed the sanction, were made by an independent panel.
“We think that process was followed to the letter. Everton have the absolute right to appeal that decision and are doing so, that appeal will be heard shortly and we hope it will be efficient, and I don’t believe it will affect the charge heard yesterday.
“I don’t think it’s messy. Nobody likes enforcing the financial rules, it’s the first time the Premier League has done it and these financial rules were brought in in 2013/14 with the specific purpose of ensuring that unsustainable spending couldn’t go too far.”
The appeal process is approaching
Everton announced their intention to appeal their ten-point deduction almost immediately after it was given, and with that process finally, about to get underway, the news that it should be carried out efficiently will be good news for the future of the club.
The longer the appeal lasts, the more uncertainty will continue to build around the points deduction with nobody knowing whether the number would be reduced or retained, and what that would mean for their Premier League survival.
Masters obviously speaks very well when questioned, that’s part of the reason he’s in the job he’s in, but his explanations about the decisions made seemed more to deflect blame away from the Premier League after the pressure fans have put them under since the decision.
With the appeal ready to get underway in the coming weeks, and the new charges set to be investigated and punishments to be given, it’s going to be a rocky end to the season at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Masters also provided a brand new 777 takeover update.