Don Hutchinson believes the Premier League cannot allow the points deduction disaster involving Everton and Nottingham Forest to continue beyond the season.
Everton has lost eight points this season due to two distinct PSR accusations, whereas Forest has lost four points for one rule violation.
The appeals procedure in the Toffees’ case may not be completed until a week after the Premier League season ends, perhaps creating uncertainty on the final day of the season.
Hutchinson stated on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Friday Football Social [12 April, 7:26pm]: “It’s not just what happens on the last day, but also your perspective with three or four weeks of the season left.
“If you’re a bottom-tier team, like Nottingham Forest, and you’re not sure what result you need, you might believe a point is good. However, if you are aware that points may be deducted, you should aim for a win. It simply cannot happen after the season concludes.”
Everton relegation battle to go down to the wire
If nothing else, we know there will be no future point deductions. Instead, the conflict is now fought in the appellate process.
Of course, one way is for Everton to string together a few victories, move well clear of the bottom three, and the stress will be alleviated.
That is easier said than done, and it appears that the sides striving to avoid 18th will have nothing in common.
Forest’s point deduction and subsequent appeal complicate matters in what has been an extraordinary season.
And, as a reminder, the Premier League is solely responsible for this. It’s no surprise that the current financial standards will be phased out this summer.
For all the PSR talk over the last week – and six months, for that matter – it will be great to focus on what happens on the pitch when the Toffees meet Chelsea. A victory in that one would have removed much of the gloom.
In unrelated Everton news, the Fans’ Forum published a statement after being ignored by PGMOL CEO Howard Webb.
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