I celebrated when Everton got 10-point deduction – but what Premier League are doing now is a mockery

The Premier League’s inconsistent approach to points deductions has been criticized by former Everton winger Andros Townsend, who described it as a “mockery” of the league. The Toffees were recently deducted a further two points for a second charge of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which has been added to the six points deducted from the side earlier in the season for a breach in a previous season.

The initial six-point deduction was reduced from ten points on appeal, and the club has confirmed plans to appeal against the latest deduction. The process may not be completed before the final game of the season on May 19, leaving teams like Luton and Nottingham Forest, who are also appealing against a four-point deduction, uncertain about their Premier League status.

As things stand, Everton is in 16th position, two points ahead of Luton Town in 18th and Nottingham Forest in 17th. The situation is being closely watched by Luton, with Townsend, a former Everton man, delivering a strong verdict on what is going on.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen with appeals,” Townsend told BBC Radio 5Live’s Monday Night Club. “We were probably celebrating when Everton got 10 points taken off them and then they got four given back and we’re back in the relegation zone. So we take out the deductions to take away the confusion and we’ll see at the end of the season.”

Townsend believes that clubs, including Everton, underestimated the punishment that would be handed out for a breach of the rules. “Everton would have known they weren’t going to be inside that £105m debt mark because they spent £30m in the summer. They spent that knowing they weren’t going to make this £105m target. I think clubs just thought it would be a fine and a slap on the wrists and get on with it,” he said.

The Premier League’s inconsistent approach to points deductions has been a source of confusion for fans and teams alike. The league’s rules state that clubs must not exceed a maximum permitted loss of £105m over a rolling three-year period. However, the application of these rules has varied, with some clubs receiving fines while others have been deducted points.

In Everton’s case, the club was initially deducted ten points for breaching the PSR, but this was reduced to six points on appeal. The latest deduction of two points has added to the confusion, with the club confirming plans to appeal against the decision.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Luton and Nottingham Forest are also appealing against four-point deductions, leaving teams uncertain about their Premier League status even after the final ball of the campaign is kicked.

Townsend’s comments highlight the frustration felt by fans and teams over the league’s inconsistent approach to points deductions. “I think it makes a mockery of the Premier League. When you announce the charge, you have to be certain of the points deduction,” he said.

The Premier League has defended its approach to points deductions, stating that each case is considered on its merits. However, the inconsistent application of the rules has led to confusion and frustration among fans and teams.

In conclusion, the Premier League’s inconsistent approach to points deductions has been criticized by former Everton winger Andros Townsend, who described it as a “mockery” of the league. The Toffees were recently deducted a further two points for a second charge of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which has added to the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the league’s approach to punishing clubs for breaching the rules.

The situation is being closely watched by Luton, with Townsend, a former Everton man, delivering a strong verdict on what is going on. The Premier League’s rules state that clubs must not exceed a maximum permitted loss of £105m over a rolling three-year period, but the application of these rules has varied, with some clubs receiving fines while others have been deducted points.

The inconsistent approach to points deductions has led to confusion and frustration among fans and teams, with Townsend highlighting the need for certainty and consistency in the league’s approach to punishing clubs for breaching the rules. The Premier League has defended its approach, stating that each case is considered on its merits, but the inconsistent application of the rules has raised questions about the league’s commitment to enforcing its own rules.