Everton is “fortunate,” according to former FA chairman David Bernstein, because they did not get a point deduction during the previous campaign.
The 10-point docking that the Toffees received from the Premier League for violating profit and sustainability regulations will be appealed. Before Sunday’s match at Goodison Park against Manchester United, supporters will vociferously protest against the puEverton drops to a joint bottom spot in the table as a result of the deduction. After barely making it through the last day of the 2022–23 season, there was general confidence that they would avoid a relegation struggle, having previously finished in 14th place.nishment, leaving the club “shocked” by the decision.
The FA chairman from 2011 to 2013 was Bernstein, who said to talkSPORT, “I wasn’t [surprised].” I use the word “evading” carefully because Everton has been found guilty of breaking the rules. I suppose they are lucky in a way.
“Obviously, they can’t be retrospective for obvious reasons, but if they were, they would have been demoted. Ten points may seem like a lot, but they are being carried this season. That would have resulted in a very harsh punishment. Given the makeup of the other clubs at the bottom of the table, they have a good chance of surviving as things stand.”The penalty, you could argue how many angels are on the head of a pin, you don’t want to argue forever about clubs who have been insolvent, Portsmouth and so forth but all in all, I think it’s reasonable and may get away lightly if they survive, which I think we will.”
The MP for Liverpool West Derby, Ian Byrne, has brought the points deduction before Parliament and demanded the immediate appointment of an independent football regulator. Some have claimed that the Premier League punished Everton so severely to demonstrate its self-control.
Bernstein thinks that as soon as feasible, we also need an independent regulator. “I’ve been arguing for years that it does,” he continued. My involvement in a group that included Gary Neville, Mervyn King, and others resulted in a change manifesto that served as the foundation for the fan-led review and subsequent events.”Unfortunately, vested interests typically control the game. We are aware of the power that the Premier League and the major teams in particular possess, and I have long been an advocate of independence. Events demonstrate the necessity of an impartial watchdog.”
