What the FFP appeal means for the Everton team and its relegation battle is unknown.
As another day passes, Everton is yet to get word on the outcome of their appeal against the 10-point reduction for violating financial regulations.
And they’re not the only ones who are anxiously awaiting the decision
of the three people tasked with deciding whether the biggest points deduction
in Premier League history—more than the amount Portsmouth actually lost in 2010 when they went into administration—is a just punishment for spending £19.5 million more
than the £105 million allowed by profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
If it is deemed too severe, it will have an impact on Burnley and Sheffield United,
who will discover that the team nearest to the elusive safety of 17th place is now more than seven points ahead.
It has an impact on Luton Town, who trail Everton just in goal differential.
It impacts Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest,
who would drop one spot closer to the bottom if, for example, the penalty was cut in half.
It impacts not just the teams but also the supporters, executives, and employees who keep them running smoothly. We’ve heard this week how it’s unsettling the players, and even the normally
unflappable Everton manager Sean Dyche acknowledged it’s having an effect.
“They immediately deduct those ten points, so you keep glancing at that chart
and getting asked if you’re among the lowest three, four, or five.
As they don’t abandon you, how can we be certain of the psychological effects of that? stated Dyche.
It modifies the audience base, the perception, the atmosphere, and the feel of the performances.
That is merely a fact. When the team is there, we all evaluate it differently—top, middle, or bottom.
All the clubs surrounding them will sense this, but not to the same extent.
Everton fans are running out of patience as they have been clamoring for clarification for weeks.
“The Premier League sanctions policy is still shrouded in secrecy, and we still don’t know the outcome of the Premier League commission,”
Dave Kelly, chair of the club’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB), told the Liverpool Echo on Thursday.
“This has implications for the whole football community, not just Everton.”
He added: “The time has come for this lingering uncertainty to end.
The football club, its employees, the wider community and supporters need clarity on the path forward.”
Everton’s FAB, one of the organizations created by Premier
League teams to provide supporters a stronger voice in conversations with
executives and board members, has been in contact with supporters of other teams on
multiple occasions, raising concerns about the unfairness of their penalty.
They must be afraid that they will be mentioned in this.
The group begged the appeal panel in a long statement that the punishment was
too severe for the supporters.
The statement, signed by secretary Julie Clarke, vice chair Tony Sampson of the FAB,
and Kelly, stated that “the sanction imposed on Everton ultimately has
ramifications that go far beyond the team’s standing in the league table.”
Despite being presented as a “sporting sanction,” there will unavoidably be
financial repercussions, both direct and indirect. The fans have good reason to
be concerned that this could lead to a state of uncertainty that could endanger the
stadium, our historic club, and all of its numerous and varied community projects.
“From the standpoint of the supporters, there are more reasonable methods to flag any
PSR violation that don’t have such an unjust and lasting effect on the team, the supporters, and the larger community.
“Fans are also aware that there is fixed penalty of nine points for clubs who become insolvent.
The fans cannot understand why clubs should be subject to a more
punitive sanction for a breach of the PSR than what it would have received had the club become insolvent.”
Nobody has been able to provide clarification on if the appeal committee has taken into consideration the supporters’ views, which were not shared during the initial hearing.
The FAB have requested that they make another – likely similar – submission
to the committee overseeing the second charge for breaching PSR. Again, they remain
in the dark about if they will be able to do so, when the hearing will be, they have
no possible inkling as to what further punishment they face.
There is one line that stands out in the 25-page witness statement
document they created with the assistance of a barrister.
“Fans want to enjoy the spectacle of an elite sporting competition, contested on the pitch, not in the courtroom.”
What with Everton’s ongoing appeal, the club’s second case hinging on it, Nottingham
Forest’s hearing (not to mention Manchester City’s 115 charges that have been ongoing for years now) it is
impossible for the decisions of courtrooms not to have a significant impact on the
spectacle and competition for the foreseeable future.
An FAB representative informed me that “Evertonians are naturally eager to
know what the outcome of the appeal will be.” However, this is a problem that
affects all football teams, as well as their fan bases.
“While it is everyone’s desire for the issues to be carefully considered, nobody benefits from the ambiguity.
“We’re hoping for some clarity soon so that everyone in the football
community, including Everton, can proceed.”
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