Stan Collymore reacts to ‘Radical Reform’ talks after Everton points deductions
Stan Collymore has claimed talks about scrapping points deductions to introduce a “luxury tax” would benefit cheating in the Premier League after Everton and Nottingham Forest’s punishments.
The Toffees were docked six-points earlier this season and are expecting a second deduction for a second charge this month, but reports on Thursday (4 April) claim point deductions could be scrapped next season in “radical reforms”.
But while writing in his CaughtOffside column (5 April), Collymore believes it’s a bad idea and claims it would just encourage the rich to continue “cheating”
“So the Premier League are apparently considering getting rid of points deductions for more punitive financial punishments. In short, an NBA-style ‘luxury tax’,” he wrote.
“If this comes in, it would be yet another way of letting clubs who are owned by countries of huge venture capital firms to run roughshod over the rules, benefit from cheating then find a few million behind the sofa to pay for their sins — no thanks!
“If a club is found guilty of financial doping then they deserve every sporting punishment going, including points deductions and multiple division relegations, if necessary.”
A ridiculous idea to punish Everton again
Everton were absolutely made to be guinea pigs in this entire situation this season, and the Premier League have tried to make an example out of the club.
A ten-point deduction was thrown out because of how insane it was and eventually reduced to six, but without those deductions the team would be comfortably in mid-table and would earn millions more in prize money.
But for the league to then decide after handing out three punishments, with two going to Everton, that points deductions are a bad idea is just pathetic.
A luxury tax is just a terrible idea and allows those state-owned clubs like Manchester City to buy their way out of trouble constantly, because money is no object to them.
It would only further increase the gap between the teams in the league, and Everton would be left suffering the effects of a punishment nobody else can receive. It’s a nonsense.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign this “magnificent” defender in the summer.
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