Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has suggested that the club’s third points deduction could amount to “up to six points.”
Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness, who was CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy, expressed optimism that Everton’s financial team could see a favourable outcome.
The Toffees face the possibility of a third points penalty after already being hit with two deductions, worth two and six points respectively, during the 2023-24 season.
The latest issue centres on £6.5million, attributed to interest payments on their new stadium.
Premier League authorities argue that this sum should be included in Everton’s spending for the 2022-23 season, which could trigger another points deduction under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Everton’s start to the current campaign has been dismal, with the team sitting on zero points from their first three matches and conceding 10 goals.
Wyness remains cautiously optimistic that Everton can avoid further punishment. Speaking on the podcast, he said:
“The Premier League and independent panel have to decide whether Everton’s auditors are correct or not. The auditors will bring evidence to back up their opinion. I’m hopeful that Everton can get through this charge and I’m expecting the hearing to happen pretty quickly.”
He added: “This will have a knock-on effect and it could be up to six points again. But because it’s a different type of charge and investigation, I’m quite hopeful there will be a ruling in favour of the auditors and Everton.”