Keith Wyness, the former CEO of Everton, has slammed Premier League chief Richard Masters for creating a “legal merry-go-round” with the Toffees’ 10-point deduction.
The 66-year-old, who was Goodison Park’s CEO from 2004 to 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, claimed Masters’ predecessor, Richard Scuadamore, would have pursued a different punishment.
Everton were found to have violated the Premier League’s financial and sustainability rules by an independent commission last month and were docked ten points as a result.
On November 23, Football Insider revealed that Leeds United, Burnley, and Leicester City have begun legal proceedings against the Merseysiders in a claim worth up to £200 million.
Five clubs are suing for compensation after being relegated from the Premier League.
Everton has confirmed their appeal against the Premier League’s decision, while Man City and Chelsea have yet to go to trial.
City’s case will be heard by an independent panel in the autumn of 2024, with a decision expected by the start of the 2025-26 season.
“I think the political environment with the independent regulator is weighing on people’s minds,” Wyness said exclusively on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
“There has been some political thought as people have looked in and asked, ‘Can the Premier League run the game or not?'”
“If I think back to my time as Premier League president, Richard Scuadamore would have found a way out of this mess without putting himself in the difficult position we’re in now.”
“Richard Masters has set in motion what I regard as a legal merry-go-round.”
“There’s talk of relegated clubs filing legal action, and Everton suing Manchester City or Chelsea.” If I were a CEO, I would spend 30% of my budget on KCs rather than a left-back.
“This has put the Premier League in a cycle of major problems.” I believe Masters should be judged on how he led the league to this point.
“In the case of Everton, I believe there was enough on both sides to find a different way to approach this.”
“I believe there should have been a financial penalty for such a financial breach.” That would not have gotten the Premier League into this mess.”
