Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville clash amid Everton appeal verdict
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have clashed amid news that Everton have had their appeal against a 10-point deduction partially upheld.
Everton saw their penalty for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules reduced from a 10-point deduction to a six-point deduction following the outcome of an appeal.
Speaking in the aftermath of the decision, Carragher and Neville have clashed over how similar situations should be handled going forward.
While in discussion on the Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast (29 February), Neville said, “For breaking the sustainability rules, the £105m, there should just be a set points deduction”.
Carragher disagreed, stating “It’s a bit like if you know the sentence for a crime you’re going to commit, you might look at it and go it’s worth it that.
“If we spend a little bit more money and we stay up and we’ve got £100million we’ll take that if it’s three points or six points, the whole point of them not having a sanction in place was to almost put people off from breaking the rules.
Neville responded, “They need to make it so that your losses need to be contained within one season.”
Everton supporters at Goodison Park must move on
No matter what way you look at it, and no matter what the rules are going forward, Everton supporters will just be relieved that they have been handed some points back.
The Toffees were beginning to slip dangerously close to potential relegation from the Premier League, and Sean Dyche will hope that the outcome of this appeal will offer a lift to his players.
Everton are without a win in six in all competitions, and they must now begin to find some form as they look to secure their Premier League status, which is incredibly important from a financial point of view, especially as their new stadium continues to go up.
There is now a five-point gap between Everton and 18th place, which offers some breathing room at Goodison Park.
A precedent has now been set, and while Everton must move on, Carragher and Neville are correct in suggesting that the Premier League need to offer greater clarity.
Of course, there is still the worry of what punishment may come from the second charge that was handed out for an alleged breach of PSR rules, so Everton still do not fully know their situation.
In other Everton news, Wayne Rooney has made an admission regarding the Toffees and Manchester United live on BBC.
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