Everton’s director of football, Kevin Thelwell, has claimed the club’s 10-point deduction for a breach of the Premier League’s financial rules will provide “additional fuel” for Sean Dyche’s team in their fight to avoid relegation.
Everton remain stunned by the severity of the punishment last week for breaching permitted losses by £19.5m over a three-year period up to 2021-22. The club’s appeal against the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history will be submitted this week. A series of protests by Everton fans will start with a demonstration outside the Premier League’s headquarters in London on Friday.
Dyche and his players have yet to comment on a punishment that has dropped Everton to 19th, level on points with the bottom side, Burnley, one of the clubs who can lodge a compensation claim against them. But in a statement on behalf of the Everton manager and his team, Thelwell made clear the depth of anger and resolve inside Goodison Park.
“We are shocked by what we believe is a wholly disproportionate and unjust ruling by the Premier League’s commission,” he said. “We cannot say anything further on the commission’s findings until the conclusion of the appeal process – and the players and manager cannot be drawn on any specifics relating to the commission’s ruling in the media duties they will be fulfilling in the days and weeks ahead.
“But the clear and tangible impact on our league position because of that ruling is clear to see in the Premier League table. We return to action five places lower than the 14th position held following our hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
“The three points from that victory may no longer be accounted for in the table – nor seven other hard-earned points amassed during this season. But what does remain in place is the unity, focus and determination that helped earn those points on the field of play – now supplemented by the additional fuel of what we believe is a wholly disproportionate ruling.”
Everton have won six of their past nine matches in all competitions but face a third successive relegation battle after the independent commission’s ruling. Thelwell said: “The spirit remains strong – unwavering. Sean and the players are fully focused on the work that lies ahead. And everybody at Finch Farm is united. We know that every Evertonian is behind us. We feel the strength of support, and we will continue to use that backing to drive us on.”
Evertonians have raised more than £40,000 to fund protests against the Premier League since the verdict was announced. As well as the demonstration in London on Friday, a plane will fly over the Etihad Stadium during Manchester City’s game against Liverpool on Saturday carrying a message to the organisation.
During Everton’s televised home game against Manchester United on Sunday the entire crowd of more than 38,000 will be invited to brandish red cards bearing the Premier League logo and the word “corrupt”.
Among many issues Everton have with the findings of the independent commission, which rejected several mitigating factors presented by the club for their losses, including expenditure for a new stadium, is how it arrived at the 10-point penalty.
Everton were charged with the breach in February. The Premier League attempted to introduce a sanction policy for the case in August. The league’s proposed sanction, advocated by its chief executive, Richard Masters, would have led to Everton being deducted 10 points on the basis of a six-point penalty as a starting point, plus one point for every £5m overspent.
The independent commission rejected the Premier League’s sanction policy only to arrive at an identical 10-point deduction, although it was vague on the reasons why. Everton’s lawyers are likely to raise the issue in the club’s appeal.
