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The question for the Premier League moving forward is how and when to intervene to stop these kinds of situations arising in future.
There is no doubt the Premier League are trying to appear strong in front of MPs on the back of the new charges, resisting calls for an independent regulator. It was convenient timing for the Premier League CEO Richard Masters to be appearing in parliament on Tuesday. No doubt it is a coincidence that a previous summoning immediately followed the announcement of charges against Manchester City.
I said in November that a 10-point penalty against Everton felt harsh. I stand by that and believe the appeal should reduce it.
But the fact Everton may have been punished disproportionately because of politics cannot disguise the fact it is the club’s own failings that made them so vulnerable.
Leeds United, Southampton and Leicester City supporters are within their rights to argue – as things stand – they have been punished far more having been relegated last May.
Everton being docked 10 points earlier this season is no use to those who went down. They can argue they would have survived had the Premier League ordered their relegation rivals to stop buying players they could not afford, or were not permissible under the rules.
There is no grand conspiracy targeting any club, and I am not comfortable with the word ‘corruption’ being chucked around in the Everton case. The Premier League clubs decide and vote in their own rules, including those on Profit and Sustainability.
The clubs charged knew that and kept signing the cheques. The Premier League has been too soft for too long when it comes to rigorously applying its guidelines regarding PSR. Whatever the motives for it belatedly showing its teeth, it was only a matter of time before the patience of all those who have abided by the spending limits – some of whom have been relegated – demanded action.
Moshiri is desperate to get out of Everton now, hoping the sale to 777 goes through. Given Richard Masters’ response to that prospect on Tuesday, even that does not sound like a formality.
That is what it has come to at Goodison Park. A US-firm the fans do not really trust – and the Premier League is not yet convinced would pass its owner’s test – is the only option on the table. Without the cash injection from 777 which is keeping the club going, Everton’s plight could be more perilous.
Moshiri said he hopes his reign will be remembered for the new stadium on the docks. He is deluded if he thinks that will be the lingering memory.
Instead, his name will join the rogues gallery of English football’s worst ever owners.
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