Everton legend Peter Reid is understandably upset over the Toffee’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) punishment.
The Merseyside club, who host United in the Premier League later today, were docked 10 points by the Premier League after being found guilty of breaking profit and sustainability rules.
Everton fans are planning a protest today at Goodison Park as a result.
The punishment has been deemed harsh by Everton fans and a number of pundits because it looks like the Premier League are overlooking the fact Chelsea and Man City have done worse when it comes to FFP.
Maybe it could be a case of Everton’s deduction being a tremor, while City and Chelsea may face the earthquake, as alluded to by The Guardian’s Sean Ingle.
Reflecting on the decision to take 10 points from Everton, Reid told The Mirror there is an irony about playing United in the first match back considering the amount of debt which looms over the club thanks to the Glazer family.
Reid said: “The last few years have been a big struggle for Everton because of some very poor decisions in the management of the club.
“The amount of money that has been spent should mean they are challenging for the top four rather than fighting to stay out of the bottom three. But (Farhad) Moshiri [Everton owner] has invested his own money. How much money have United’s owners put into the club?
“I understand the idea behind financial fair play, but if one club can be docked ten points for having an owner who has put money into his club, while another club can build top debts beyond £1billion without any punishment, then the system can’t be working, can it?
“Football is big business. But if one owner is forced to operate with his hands tied behind his back while another owner is allowed to take money out of a club while the debt level is going up and up then that isn’t fair play.
“Everton didn’t stick to the rules so they had to be punished. I get that. I think everyone at the club accepts that.
“But ten points is a punishment that doesn’t fit the crime. I haven’t spoken to anyone who thinks it does. Hopefully, Everton’s appeal will be successful – but until then the club must use their sense of injustice as fuel to keep winning games like they have been recently.”
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