Everton, both the club and its fanbase, need to know the outcome of their appeal as soon as possible.
In fact, the entire Premier League do really, as the domino effect it could set off will be huge.
Those around the relegation zone will finally learn of that cemented fate, and just how far away, or ahead, they will be from the Toffees.
Those above will now know whether they can spend freely again or not, with the severity and subsequent solidity of the sanction sure to set a precedent for the division.
Well, speaking on his podcast, The Esk has sought to at least give his thoughts on when an outcome might emerge.
What The Esk said about Everton’s appeal
Despite reports having suggested that a decision would be reached and announced by mid-February, writer and finance expert Paul Quinn has now suggested otherwise.
As someone more than happy to comb over the finances of his beloved Everton, and even claiming to boast contacts within the game too, his word is certainly one of authority in this sphere.
So, when he suggests that the appeal’s conclusion could come months after that aforementioned prediction, it marks a worrying sign for fans.
He told the Talking The Blues podcast: ‘I suspect it’s probably going to be early April.
‘The appeal was heard last week. I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there about what the appeal is actually about. The appeal itself is not just a rehash of the first commission, it’s not just Everton re-presenting the same evidence and saying ‘We want you to reconsider this’.
‘Obviously, there is an element of that, but actually, and it’s my understanding, we’ve gone back and said essentially what happened in the commission is against our fundamental rights as an organisation.’
Another farcical Premier League decision against Everton
If this premonition does prove to be true, it could prove catastrophic not just for Everton but for anyone else in the Premier League set to be scrapping for survival.
At this point, that could be anyone from Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Crystal Palace or the Toffees.
They need to know a set-in-stone outcome so they know what it takes to stay in the division.
This lack of clarity helps absolutely nobody, not least Sean Dyche.
The 52-year-old has been dealt the toughest possible hand since moving to Merseyside, and things never seem to ease for him. But should they wait until the penultimate month of the campaign to reveal such pertinent information, there is no way that he can be expected to continue galvanising a squad that could be destined to go down via a courtroom decision.
It marks yet another farcical decision that could have grave consequences for Everton, thus detailing exactly why the fanbase must continue with their protests.
Read also; Jamie Vardy outlines his intentions before his contract with Leicester City expires.
