Everton: Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotherham reacts to new Premier League charges
The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region posted his views in a statement on his personal Twitter account on Monday (15 January).
I have grave concerns about today’s @premierleague announcement and the transparency of the entire process.
This is not about one club.
This is about ensuring our game is open and fair. pic.twitter.com/7bsB6m5CNC
— Steve Rotheram (@MetroMayorSteve) January 15, 2024
In response to that, Rotherham said: “The Premier League’s announcement today means that Everton Football Club potentially face being penalised twice within the same season for alleged breaches covering the same period.
“In short, the club is facing double jeopardy. I have supported Everton in their appeal so far because I have grave concerns about the transparency of the process and the severity of the penalty being applied. The punishment does not fit the crime.
“It is not about one club but ensuring that our game is open and fair in its treatment of all clubs. It is difficult to see how anybody can have any confidence in a process as opaque as this.
“Unlike the EFL or other sporting leagues around the world, the Premier League has not published a framework for sanctions.
“Until that is rectified the fairness and transparency of the whole process will be called into question.”
If Everton supporters felt wronged by the 10-point deduction earlier in the season, they will be fuming at this latest verdict.
The period in question the club are alleged to have breached the rules overlaps the period in which they have already been punished for.
As Rotherham points out, this is “double jeopardy”. The Toffees are being punished twice for effectively the same offence.
What must be said is that there has yet to be any official word on what this latest punishment may be.
The club have made it clear they intend to appeal the charge, though, and it may not be until May – after the season has finished – that the case is closed.
Factor in the appeal still ongoing with regards to the previous 10-point deduction, and it makes for an incredibly uncertain conclusion to the season.
According to the table – which never lies, remember – Everton are one point above the relegation zone. Quite how that changes with these various appeals remains to be seen.
The ultimate punishment would be relegation, of course, but the players have showed exactly what they are capable of when their backs are against the walls.
In other Everton news, Mike Keegan has shared what the Toffees intend to do following the announcement on Monday (15 January).
