MP Calls For Football Regulator After Unjust Everton Points Deduction

November 21, (THEWILL) – A Labour Member of Parliament has tabled a motion in parliament, criticising the recent 10-point deduction given to Everton Football Club for breaching financial rules.

Lain Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, labelled the sanction “grossly unjust” in an early day motion laid before the House of Commons this week. The deduction, handed down by an independent commission, saw Everton drop from 14th to second-from-bottom in the English Premier League table.

Byrne contended in his motion that the punishment “lacked any legal or equitable foundation or justification.” He called for legislation to establish an independent football regulator, arguing the EPL could no longer govern without external oversight.

The incident has sparked intense debate regarding English top tier football’s governance. Everton became the first EPL club to be deducted points based on financial sustainability regulations. Supporters have broadly panned the penalty as excessive. However, commission members cited a £372 million loss over three years as necessitating strong action.

In his early day motion, Byrne stated: “This House contends the Premier League can no longer fairly govern top-flight football without independent scrutiny and legislation.” Several MPs have already signed on to the symbolic act.

However, substantive change would require new laws and structural reforms. Still, the high-profile case has placed scrutiny on oversight and regulation issues in 2023.