Everton: BBC Sport pundit blasts Premier League ‘nonsense’ as relegation claim made
Everton could be relegated from the Premier League this season but could end up remaining in the division due to appeals regarding points deductions.
That is according to Shay Given, who believes Nottingham Forest could instead find themselves down after being docked four points.
Both clubs were charged with financial breaches earlier this season, with the Toffees awaiting the outcome of their second charge.
Speaking on the Monday Night Club on BBC 5 Live Sport (18 March), Given said: “The Premier League need to take a long hard look at it and say ‘this is clearly not working.’ There must be a better system we can put in place to stop clubs overspending in the first place. You’re talking about lawyers deciding football matches or appeals, it’s nonsense.”
He added: “One of them [Forest or Everton] could be relegated, appeal in the summer and then they could win that appeal and end up with enough points to stay up.
“Whereas someone like Luton could stay up on the last day but get relegated the month after. How do you prepare for next season?
“It’s a bigger problem than just what happens in the next couple of weeks. People need to know on the final day of the season if you’re staying up or not.”
Will Everton survive amid all the Premier League mayhem?
It has been another exciting Premier League season for many reasons, both at the top and bottom ends of the table.
Unfortunately for the Toffees, they are in the latter category, with Sean Dyche’s side currently sitting in 16th place in the table.
But good news has emerged regarding Forest’s four-point deduction, which has given the Merseyside outfit a bit of much-needed breathing space between them and potential relegation.
Moreover, they have played 28 matches, with Luton Town, Forest and Burnley having all played 29, with 15th-placed Brentford also on that number.
That should give the Toffees a bit of a boost when they return to action later this month, with a trip to Bournemouth up next on 30 March.
Worryingly, however, Dyche’s outfit are on a disastrous run of form, with the Goodison club really struggling for wins, both home and away.
The boss needs to put that right sooner rather than later, with a drop down to the Championship now a real possibility.
In other Everton news, Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer value has emerged amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
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