Everton: Vinny O’Connor shares possible outcomes from PSR verdict live on Sky Sports
Sky Sports News reporter Vinny O’Connor has shared an update on the second PSR charge Everton are fighting.
The Toffees face being hit with a second Premier League points deduction, having already been docked six points this season.
A verdict will be delivered before 8 April and any appeal will be lodged and completed before 24 May – after the season finishes.
Everton are expected to use the double jeopardy defence to help their cause given the overlapping nature of the two charges.
O’Connor said [25 March, 4:17pm]: “Everton feel with the six-point deduction they have already incurred, they have already been punished for two of the three years covered in this second charge, and therefore believe they shouldn’t face a case of double jeopardy.
“UEFA and the EFL make provisions to dial against a case of double jeopardy, but the Premier League doesn’t. So the independent panel is effectively set with setting a precedent – can a club be punished twice for overlapping time periods?
“Now, if the commission agree double jeopardy shouldn’t happen, it has a massive impact on Everton’s position. It would mean they have no case to answer. If that decision doesn’t go Everton’s way, they can then go on to appeal.”
Everton PSR verdict to be delivered by 8 April
It goes without saying that Everton supporters would much rather the first of those two scenarios – for the panel to decide that the club have already been punished adequately.
Given this has never happened before, whatever decision is made could well determine what happens in similar scenarios for years to come.
At the same time, with the PSR guidelines in their current guise being abolished in the summer, it is more likely that this could just be a one-off decision.
A decision will be forthcoming in the next fortnight, at which point Everton will have a much better indication of what is needed to stay up this season.
There is then of course the opportunity to appeal, which will give the Premier League one almighty headache as it will stretch on until after the season concludes.
However, if the panel sees any common sense, it will surely be agreed that Everton are not deserving of a second points penalty.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are said to be interested in signing a player from Barcelona.
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