Everton: Outrageous message sent after appeal news from Premier League
Oliver Holt believes that the Premier League’s original decision to award Everton with a 10-point deduction was “incredibly harsh” but believes the recent update is a step in the right direction.
An independent panel’s verdict on the deduction seems to agree with Holt, having reduced the Toffees’ 10-point deduction to six points, although it may have a positive impact on the outrageous spending of others.
The decision has seen Everton fly up the Premier League table, moving from 17th, one point above Luton Town in the relegation zone, to 15th, above Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
Writing for Daily Mail on Tuesday [27 February, page 63], Holt said: “The original deduction imposed on Everton for breaking spending rules was ridiculously harsh.
“It had a distinct feel of a punishment designed pour encourager les autres. It may have had a welcome effect in curbing the outrageous spending of others subsequently but that does not mean it was not grossly unfair.
“The four-point reduction in the ban, decided by the Premier League’s appeals board and announced yesterday, is a welcome step in the right direction and a credit to the reasoned arguments Everton have produced in their defence.”
Everton reduced to four-point deduction after Premier League appeal
The correct decision has finally been reached after patiently waiting to hear from the independent panel. Multiple reported deadlines were missed during February, but fans will just be happy that the appeal has been successful.
Only two teams have been awarded point deductions that were not reversed in Premier League history. Middlesbrough and Portsmouth are the two sides to face this fate, with the latter proving how harsh Everton’s original punishment really was.
Pompey were docked nine points after debts of £65million saw them enter administration, which saw them exiled from the top tier and have not returned since, a far worse rule break than what the Toffees were charged with.
Six points seems a much fairer verdict, with Everton now capable of focusing on surviving relegation for a third successive season without a giant black cloud hanging over Goodison Park.
Now in 15th place, having leapfrogged Brentford and Nottingham Forest, Sean Dyche will hope his side can claim their first victory in nine matches, last winning a league game against Burnley in December.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri has been provided with a 777 Partners takeover solution amid the “appalling” Goodison situation.
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