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Kieran Maguire claims Everton points deduction is 'the only appropriate punishment'
A significant points deduction is the only ‘appropriate punishment’ if Everton are found guilty in their FFP hearing.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider why the Premier League shouldn’t hand out financial punishment.
The Toffees began their FFP hearing last week after facing allegations of breaching profit and sustainability regulations.
As reported by The Telegraph, the Premier League have recommended a 12-point deduction for the Merseyside club if they are found guilty of the breaches.
Should the independent panel decide to hand Everton a 12-point deduction, it would be a record-breaking punishment for a top-flight side and would leave the Toffees with negative points.
As revealed by Football Insider (27 October), Everton’s hearing was set to conclude on Friday, although results may not become public until November.
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Maguire believes a points deduction is more suitable if Everton are found guilty as ‘ultra-rich’ owners will not be affected by any financial punishment.
“For a club that has deliberately attempted to circumvent profitability and sustainability rules, I think the only appropriate punishment is a points deduction,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“If you have a financial deterrent, especially with new ultra-high net worth individuals and organisations as owners, they will start to see it as a cost of doing business.
“If this was a normal court case, you’d expect that to be made clear by the Premier League in their opening address of the prosecution.
“The Premier League want to persuade the three individuals who will be effectively holding judgement that an example has to be made of Everton.
“For that to be the case, they will want a significant points deduction applied.
“But remember that Everton are extremely confident of defending themselves, and are innocent until proven otherwise.
“We’ll have to see by how much – if any – of the £105million allowable loss has been exceeded.“
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