BBC Sport journalist makes Everton appeal prediction after new charge as ‘logic dictates’ verdict shared
An appeal from Everton and Nottingham Forest regarding their latest Premier League charges “seems automatic.”
That is according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone after both clubs were charged for breaching the competition’s profit and sustainability rules.
A fine or points deduction can be handed to clubs who break such rules, with Everton having already been deducted 10 points this season for that offence.
Stone was asked on a BBC Sport Q&A: “Surely the Premier League have to make a decision on Everton and Nottingham Forest sooner rather than later. How can teams play on the final day of the season and then afterwards find out a team that was relegated is now safe and vice versa?”
The journalist replied: “If the Premier League can get it done before the actual matches finish, they will. But it is a legal case and there is a lot at stake, so I am guessing it won’t be rushed.
“To underline, the cases themselves have to be dealt with by 8 April. It is any appeals that might take it over the final games. Logic dictates if a points penalty is handed down, it cannot be known by the first week in April whether it will relegate a team or not, so an appeal seems automatic.”
Worrying times?
Everton have, of course, already been massively impacted by their financial issues, with the club docked 10 points earlier in the campaign.
That shot them right down the Premier League table, although a strong run from Sean Dyche’s side drove them back up the standings.
But that was followed by a disappointing run that has left the Goodison Park club sitting 17th in the table, just a point above the relegation zone.
Worryingly, 18th-place Luton Town have a game in hand over the Toffees, although Everton do have a better goal difference, which could go a long way in helping the club avoid the drop.
Everton can also take heart from the struggles of both Burnley and Sheffield United, who really do have a mountain to climb from now until the end of the season given their difficulties on the pitch so far.
There is, of course, also hope from Toffees supporters regarding a potential points deduction for Nottingham Forest, who are in 16th place.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are now ready for a bid for a Goodison Park star as a vulnerability and Dyche stance emerges.
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