Gary Neville believes Everton fans have a right to feel “extremely annoyed” over their 10-point deduction when compared to the lenient punishment the clubs who attempted to leave for the European Super League received.
Everton’s 10-point deduction for financial breaches is the heaviest penalty the Premier League has ever handed out, while the six clubs who attempted to leave for the European Super League received fines of just £3.5million.
The punishment has infuriated Everton supporters, and Neville feels they have a right to be angered considering the comparably light penalties received by the six Super League clubs.
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“I can see why Everton fans are extremely annoyed,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “Does that offence warrant the largest sporting sanction that the Premier League have ever handed out, compared to some of the offences that we’ve seen in the last three or four years where the top clubs have been scooting behind the others’ backs trying to work out a way to destroy the ethos of English and European football?
“From my point of view, when you look at where Everton would be at this moment of time, they feel harshly treated because the six clubs that tried to walk away with the crown jewels got fined £3.5million.
“We accept it’s a different offence, but when you look at fans, the man and woman on the street who come to football, and they look at the consistency and fairness, I can see why Everton are extremely annoyed.”
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— Everton (@Everton) November 26, 2023
Neville pointed to the potential introduction of an independent regulator as a reason for Everton’s harsh punishment, saying: “Is it the start of a new wave of authority that the Premier League are going to put in place ahead of what will probably the inevitable introduction of an independent regulator which is scaring them to death?
“The punishment is aligned to the fact that they have to be seen to be being more authoritative because the reality is that they haven’t been authoritative in the last few years.
“The Premier League clubs have never been more divided, they’ve never been more ruled by greed and selfishness, and that’s a real concern. They’ve lost faith and trust in the authorities.
“There is a little bit here where the smaller club has been bullied, and the bigger clubs are standing there not getting the punishment they deserve.”
Everton’s docking of points has dropped them into the relegation zone ahead of their home game against Manchester United on Sunday in front of what is sure to be a vociferous Goodison Park crowd.
Roy Keane says Everton must use their anger to spur on their fight against the drop, explaining: “I think they can overcome it. They’ve had a difficult few years, fighting relegation and issues with the ownership.
“This is just another kicking they’re getting, and they can use it. It’s justified anger. We all agree they had to be punished, but the 10 points is very steep.”
