Sport nationEverton to exploit ‘big legal loopholes’ in points deduction twist – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the club will look to take advantage of “big legal loopholes” in their new points deduction appeal.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the quick decision to appeal shows the Merseysiders’ legal team see “pretty clear areas to attack”.
Everton were given a new two-point penalty for a second breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) last week and officially lodged their appeal on Tuesday (16 April).
The Toffees have been clear in their intention to fight back since the verdict was announced – insisting they intended to appeal in a club statement when the penalty was announced.
Their appeal was successful earlier this season in their first PSR case – getting their original 10-point penalty down to just six.
Everton can win appeal after ‘legal loopholes’ emerge in PSR cases
Wyness insisted the risk of appealing is small and suggested the different verdicts in various financial cases make for “fertile ground” for Everton.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Both appeals we have seen recently have been successful, to a degree.
“It does seem that because of the disparate judgements we’ve seen, the difference in arguments tend to leave big legal loopholes to argue for in the appeals.
Join the Football Insider WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.
“It seems to be pretty fertile ground.
“I think the risk in an appeal, which is having the points deduction increased, is so small that it makes it pretty worthwhile to appeal.
“The same morning the points deduction was announced, Everton said straight away that they are going to appeal.
“They obviously see some pretty clear areas of the decision they can attack.
“We’ll have to see where that goes, but we’re told now that it will be expedited.”
In other news, Everton midfield star ready to quit for Saudi club.
Sport nation
Austute Man