Kieran Maguire shocked by latest Everton FFP twist as ‘muddled’ verdict shared
Kieran Maguire believes the case surrounding Everton and their Premier League charges for financial breaches is “muddled.”
The Toffees, along with Nottingham Forest, were earlier this week referred to an independent commission for alleged breaches of profit and sustainability rules.
The charge relates to their accounts for 2022-23, with the clubs now at risk of a fine or points deduction, with the Blues having already been deducted 10 points earlier this season.
“Everton clearly, from any sane observer’s perspective, have been trying to cut back on expenditure,” Maguire said on The Price of Football podcast (18 January).
“They’re not cutting it back to zero, and I don’t think it’s fair that it should be cut back to zero either. That’s the position that we’re in with Everton.
“They’ve got fresh charges, but at the same time, they’ve got an appeal against the 10-point deduction, so how on earth can the Premier League appoint a commission to look at it if potentially, Everton are going to have a repeal or a reduction in the original 10-point penalty? So it does show just how muddled this is.”
Huge frustration
There is clear frustration from an Everton point of view in terms of the charges being handed out, although they have now at least been joined by Nottingham Forest.
Making the situation more confusing is the lack of action taken towards Manchester City, who could be handed down a punishment in the near future.
But everyone connected with the Toffees will be more concerned about what happens next for their club following the latest charge.
It remains unknown what the Premier League will do to the Merseyside outfit in the coming weeks and/or months, with Everton having already been deducted 10 league points this season.
Amid all the worry, there has at least been some positive news on the pitch, with the Toffees making it into the fourth round of the FA Cup following their 1-0 third-round replay win against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Wednesday (17 January).
In other Everton news, Alan Stubbs slammed a “reluctant” Toffees ace after a first-half incident in the FA Cup third-round replay against Crystal Palace.
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