‘Got a case’: Everton’s ‘chances’ of a successful appeal now rated by finance expert

It is a process nearly three months in the making, after the club came out so quickly to strongly deny all allegations of financial wrongdoing.

A gross and unjust ruling, many corners of the footballing world rallied to defend the Toffees after what was the harshest points deduction in the Premier League’s history. Supposedly, their crime was worse than that of a club entering administration.

Such is the laughable nature of this sanction, it is expected that a strong case could provoke the new independent commission to lessen the punishment. However, given that a different group initially came to the conclusion that a ten-point deduction was fair, few can predict the outcome.

However, speaking exclusively to Everton News, finance expert Kieran Maguire has now sought to to so, detailing his thoughts on the matter.’

As someone with an in-depth knowledge of the financial side of football, as well as ties to the city of Liverpool due to his role within the University, there are few better placed to speak about Everton’s plight.

After all, it is one that seems to constantly capture the attention, with rival fans revelling in the misery it provokes, and Evertonians desperately hoping for some good news to arrive.

Well, Maguire seems to offer both sides of the argument: ‘Everton have a potential case in respect of their appeal against that ten-point deduction, in respect of the conduct of the independent Commission.

‘If they can persuade a new regime to see that there were flaws and weaknesses in the process that was undertaken in terms of the way that the Premier League appointed first of all the KC to set up the independent Commission, then how it was populated, and perhaps most of all the lack of transparency in terms of the basis for the 10 point deduction, then they’ve got a case.

‘I think from reading between the lines no new evidence will be able to be presented in terms of whether or not they were guilty of the charges. It’s more to do with how the conduct of the Commission took place itself. If that is the case then we could have mitigation and a reduction in the tariff.

‘I think the chances of it being reduced to zero are remote, but it certainly could be reduced in terms of the quantum of points adapted.’

With the appointment of KC Laurence Rabinowitz, the Toffees gave themselves the best possible chance of success in last week’s three-day fight against the Premier League.

After all, this experienced barrister has a history of waging sporting wars in the courtroom, and was blessed with a mountain of valid arguments to justify the reduction of their ten-point deduction.

The aforementioned administration point is one such example, as well as the cobbled-together and ever-changing nature of the Premier League’s initial punishment.

Not only this, but the precedent they have set by sanctioning Everton so severely could see the entire division unravel, and that is without even mentioning how PSR itself is not fit for purpose and blatantly exists to keep the top at the top.

The hope is that Maguire’s claim comes to fruition, that a strong enough argument was presented to recapture some vital points.