Everton may be saved from relegation as the competition in the Premier League is the weakest it has been for many years.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that a points deduction was the only possible punishment that could have been handed to Everton.
The Toffees have been handed a 10-point deduction after the independent commission ruled that they were guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
Everton labelled the punishment ‘wholly disproportionate and unjust’ in their club statement reacting to the outcome of the case.
The penalty drops Sean Dyche’s side down to 19th in the Premier League table on four points equal with last-placed Burnley.
However, Everton are just two points from safety with Luton Town currently sitting 17th in the table on six points.
Maguire believes the points deduction is not a ‘disaster’ for Everton compared to the impact it would have had in previous seasons.
“The decision was made by the independent commission because the Premier League doesn’t want to be seen reacting to pressure from other clubs,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“Any punishment is always going to be a points deduction.
“A financial penalty is not going to hurt clubs or owners if they are owned by a sovereign wealth fund or a multi-billionaire.
“So a points deduction is the only route.
“It’s the route that has been taken by the EFL and I think there will be a degree of consistency there at the same time.
“I think the saving grace for Everton is that this is possibly the weakest Premier League in many, many years.
“While a points deduction certainly won’t help, it won’t be the disaster that it could be in other seasons.“
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