‘Did you even bother?’ – Lawyer accuses politician of ‘Trump-like’ reaction to Everton hearing

Everton’s ongoing battle with the Premier League has taken a new turn, with the club facing a second points deduction of eight points pending an appeal. The decision has sparked disagreement and criticism, with Everton supporters, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, accusing the Premier League of unfair treatment.

Burnham took to Twitter to express his frustration, highlighting a passage in the commission’s decision that dismissed the Premier League’s criticism of Everton for their lack of cooperation in providing information for the investigation into their latest profit and sustainability charge. Burnham described the verdict as a “damning indictment” of the Premier League’s treatment of Everton, implying that the authorities were not acting fairly or even-handedly.

However, Stefan Borson, a lawyer and former financial advisor to Manchester City, accused Burnham of behaving like Donald Trump in his interpretation of the decision. Borson suggested that Burnham had not fully understood the context of the passage, which was part of a larger section detailing a dispute between Everton and the Premier League over the sharing of documents and the holding of meetings.

The Premier League had argued that Everton did not deserve a reduction in their points deduction for exceptional cooperation, while the club had hoped for a similar reduction to that received by Nottingham Forest. The dispute between the two parties has given the impression of two sides who have been in unhappy circumstances for too long and have become increasingly hostile towards each other.

Despite this, the commission’s decision to deem the Premier League’s negative position towards Everton as “unwarranted, overstated, or both” has provided Burnham and other Everton supporters with a valid reason to question the fairness of the Premier League’s treatment of their club.

Burnham’s criticism of the Premier League is not without merit. As an Everton fan, he is emotionally invested in the club and has a perspective that is understandably skewed towards their interests. However, his view is not a false representation of the situation. There has been a suspicion among Evertonians that their club is being made an example of, with more leniency perhaps being afforded to other clubs.

This suspicion is not unfounded, as there have been instances where the Premier League has been criticized for its handling of certain situations. For example, Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, has been criticized for his opposition to independent regulation at the same time as his office is found to be criticizing one of the member clubs in a way that is “unwarranted, overstated, or both.”

Furthermore, Forest, who were lauded for their exemplary cooperation, were still infuriated with the Premier League after receiving a four-point deduction and appealed the decision. This shows that Everton are not alone in their displeasure with the Premier League’s handling of the situation.

The Premier League’s treatment of Everton has also been criticized for its impact on the club’s financial situation. The points deduction has had a significant impact on Everton’s ability to attract investment and has raised concerns about the club’s long-term future.

In other Everton news, takeover clarity is expected imminently as 777 claim the league have been given funding details. For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

In conclusion, the Premier League’s treatment of Everton has been criticized for its perceived unfairness and lack of transparency. The commission’s decision to deem the Premier League’s negative position towards Everton as “unwarranted, overstated, or both” has provided a valid reason for supporters to question the fairness of the authorities’ actions. The situation has also had a significant impact on the club’s financial situation and its ability to attract investment. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether Everton will be able to overturn the points deduction on appeal.