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Everton\u2019s 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules should be suspended until an independent regulator can examine the case, a Liverpool MP has said.<\/p>\n
Ian Byrne, the Labour member of parliament for Liverpool West Derby, has tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons concerning the club\u2019s plight.<\/p>\n
Everton were found by the independent commission which imposed the sanction to have acted \u201cirresponsibly\u201d in exceeding permitted losses over a three-year period by \u00a319.5million.<\/p>\n
Byrne\u2019s motion criticises the commission\u2019s \u201ccavalier approach to points deductions\u201d and argues that the Premier League \u201ccan no longer fairly govern top-flight football without independent scrutiny and legislation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The motion\u2019s text describes the sanction as \u201cgrossly unjust\u201d and as a \u201cpunishment lacking any legal or equitable foundation or justification for the level of sanction\u201d.<\/p>\n
Byrne\u2019s motion also notes that financial rather than sporting penalties were handed down to the clubs who sought to join the European Super League in 2021.<\/p>\n
The motion urges the Government to immediately establish an independent regulator and \u201crequests the suspension of all proceedings and sanctions made by the commission until the regulator makes its own determinations\u201d.<\/p>\n
An independent regulator for the top five tiers of the English game moved a step closer earlier this month, with the inclusion of the Football Governance Bill in the King\u2019s Speech.<\/p>\n
Everton have already indicated their intention to appeal against the commission\u2019s sanction, with the appeal expected to be heard during the course of the current season.<\/p>\n
The club could face compensation claims from other teams in relation to the case, although no other club has yet confirmed an intention to do so.<\/p>\n
The Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters on Monday to highlight what he felt was the \u201cexcessive\u201d nature of the sanction imposed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision to deduct 10 points from Everton is excessive considering the club\u2019s willingness and proactivity in collaborating with the Premier League to ensure all dealings were FFP compliant when it was clear they were close to breaching the rules,\u201d Rotheram wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a number of mitigating factors in Everton\u2019s transgression in relation to debt ceilings that are in effect geo-political and therefore outside of their control.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs many people have pointed out, the punishment imposed appears severe for the charge in question and sets a new precedent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI completely support the club\u2019s appeal and would urge you to take a more balanced approach and consider alternative forms of punishment that do not unfairly penalise the club\u2019s players and supporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a founding member of both the Football League and the Premier League, Everton are an important part of the fabric of English football. They deserve to be treated with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n