‘Corruption’ – Exclusive: Keith Wyness provides first reaction to Everton points deduction news.
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has said friends and fans of the club believe the team’s points deduction is the consequence of a “major fix at the Premier League”.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and currently operates a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the league’s lack of openness has led to charges of “corruption”.
The Premier League revealed on Monday (26 February) that Everton had saw their deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) reduced from 10 to six points following appeal.
The Merseysiders disputed the 10-point fine on nine grounds — of which two were upheld.
Everton were originally deemed to have acted in bad faith – but that verdict has been successfully overturned.
‘Everyone’s pretty unhappy’, says former Everton chief on appeal verdict
The second point was based around the punishment – which the club felt was unfair considering the gravity of the breach.
Wyness told Football Insider: “I’ve just read the two-page summary which has come from the Premier League about the appeal – and Everton had argued nine points.
“Seven of those have been rejected.
“Two points that the league admitted were judged wrongly were that Everton did not act in bad faith, which is important for the club’s reputation.
“Secondly, the sanction was deemed unfair and has been reduced to six points.
“The other seven points were rejected – we’re yet to see that detail.
“The initial reactions I’ve had from friends and other fans at Everton is that it’s still a major fix at the Premier League.
“Everyone’s really unhappy and they still believe a corrupt system has judged this.
“Corruption may be a strong word, but it’s just the lack of transparency in the process which has led to other thoughts filling the vacuum.
“It’s very important that a league which is held in such high esteem should be doing things in a much better way.”
In other news, Everton put “big” price tag for in-demand midfield player.
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