Everton: Gary Neville shares points deduction verdict on Sky Sports as Luton lose

Gary Neville described the potential for more points deductions in the Premier League this season as a “mess” as Everton wait to hear if they will have their initial punishment reduced.

The Toffees were docked 10 points in November after being found guilty of flouting Profit and Sustainability rules.

Everton appealed against that decision and are still waiting to hear the outcome of their challenge against the ruling.

However, the matter has been complicated further by the fact Everton were hit with a second charge along with Nottingham Forest in January.

With Luton Town losing 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday, Everton have a chance to get out of the relegation zone if they can avoid defeat against Crystal Palace on Monday but Neville – speaking as a co-commentator – on Sky Sports Football imagines there will be a lot of battles to come.

“It’s a mess the points deduction thing with obviously Nottingham Forest involved in that as well,” he said.

“It will be a dogfight legally you can imagine at the end of the season if Everton or Forest or others get points deducted. In Everton’s case added back maybe.”

Premier League in a mess over Everton points deduction decision

The handling of this situation has been nothing short of shambolic.

The initial punishment appeared to be plucked out of thin air for one. Then the outcome of the appeal has to be heard before the second charge can be reviewed, meaning we are fast running out of time for the whole thing to be decided before the end of the season.

As it stands, Everton are in the relegation zone, just a point below Luton. In theory, they could have some of those points added back and then have some more taken off because of the second charge.

Everton

Quite frankly, this whole thing needs to be resolved as soon as possible otherwise we could end up in a scenario where who goes up and who goes down could be decided in courtrooms.

The principle of financial fair play regulations is a good one but the implementation has not really been fit for purpose. Neville is right, it’s an absolute mess.

In other Everton news, Jamie Redknapp slammed Toffees loanee Mason Holgate over a “scandalous” moment.

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