Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has hit out at the independent commission for punishing Everton with a 10-point deduction.
Toffees fans’ worst fears were confirmed on Friday afternoon when they were found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. While top-flight chiefs pushed for a 12-point penalty, the commission ruled a 10-point deduction was sufficient.
The decision left Everton with just four points - level with rock-bottom side Burnley. Sean Dyche’s positive work in recent weeks has been undone as they now sit two points adrift from safety.
LIVE UPDATES: Everton points deduction, appeal latest and reaction after PL shock
FULL STORY: Everton hit with points deduction but will appeal Premier League punishment
REACTION: Everton respond with fury in club statement after points deduction
Much of the reaction has focused away from Goodison Park, with a decision looming about Manchester City’s case with the Premier League. They are accused of 115 FFP-related offences over a decade-long period.
Chelsea are also under investigation for alleged breaches dating back to the Roman Abramovich era. Posting on social media, former Liverpool defender Carragher blasted Everton’s ruling as “excessive”, suggesting they may have been better off not cooperating with the process.
“The 10-point deduction for Everton is excessive and not right, considering they have been working with the PL (Premier League) about this for the last couple of years,” Carragher told his followers. “Would it have been better to be evasive and try to drag it out like other clubs?
“No doubt relegated clubs will have put big pressure on the PL to deal with Everton but, when you consider six clubs tried to leave the PL and there was no sanction at all, it doesn’t feel right. Until other clubs are sanctioned Everton will feel they are being used to show there is no need for an independent regulator, and they are right.”
The former Reds defender also took aim at Farhad Moshiri for his mismanagement at Goodison Park. Seven years on Merseyside has resulted in Everton slumping from European hopefuls to regular relegation candidates - despite spending over £500million on new arrivals.
"A huge amount (how much responsibility Moshiri should take)," Carragher told Sky Sports. "I've gone on record in the last couple of years saying how poorly run Everton have been. But the supporters are well aware of how the club has been not very well done.
"There has been a great divide in the last 12 to 18 months between the supporters and the owners and that's why Moshiri is trying to get out of the club and will be selling it very shortly.
"This is a guy who has come in and wanted to get involved in football and he has put a lot of money into the club, the training ground, transfers and the stadium. Now he's had enough and he's trying to claw back some of the money he has invested.
"It won't be just down to that man, but the people he's employed: the managers, directors of football or CEOs, he hasn't got those decisions right. That's why Everton are where they are right now, the club has been run abysmally."
