Everton v West Ham United: David Moyes makes ‘disappointing’ points appeal admission
David Moyes says the Everton points deduction fiasco is “disappointing” as West Ham prepare to travel to Goodison Park.
The Toffees had 10 points take away earlier in the campaign for breaching PSR rules, only to have four reinstated last month.
That was after an appeal panel found the independent commission that imposed the original penalty made errors in their ruling.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s (2 March) contest on Merseyside, as per The Standard [1 March], Moyes said: “I think first and foremost it’s probably frightened all the owners about how much money we’re going to be able to spend and how we spend it. Everybody’s got a bit frightened by it.
“What’s more disappointing is that a panel of some of the top QCs have probably sat and got [Everton’s initial punishment] wrong in some way. It’s a bit like if anybody goes to court, you’re hoping that the people in charge will do their job right.
“The first panel’s said it’s ten points, the second panel’s said ‘no, there should be a reduction’. I’m not an expert, I don’t know how they’ve got to the points but we shouldn’t be getting it wrong.
“It was the feeling right away when it came out that everybody thought this might change. That meant Everton must’ve had a good enough case to say why it’s unfair. You’d have thought the panel would have considered that when they were dealing with it.”
Nottingham Forest and Everton awaiting PSR charge punishment
Everton may have been given four points back, which makes an almighty difference in the battle to avoid relegation, but they could be hit with a second charge.
The Toffees and Nottingham Forest were charged with breaching PSR rules for last season and they are expected to find out their punishment later this month.
Like the previous points deduction, though, they have the right to appeal – and appeal it both clubs will. That, we have been told, will mean a final verdict is not forthcoming until after the season ends.
Not that it will have any impact on West Ham, who are more concerned about fighting for a European spot, but it will cause havoc at the bottom end of the division.
Should Everton be three points from safety after the final set of fixtures, say, both they and the club in 17th will have to wait a week before they actually find out where they have finished.
The problem is that there is no set punishment – one point for every million that has been overspent, for example – and this problem will therefore keep happening.
The only hope is that these various cases this campaign help set a precedent and better guidelines to follow moving forward.
In other West Ham news, a talkSPORT presenter slammed “disgusting” news regarding Moyes he was told by Darren Bent.
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