Leeds United legal battle expected amid Everton development, they have a ‘huge case’
Leeds United would have a “huge case” for any legal action taken against Everton, according to Paul Robinson.
The Yorkshire club were one of three teams alongside Burnley and Leicester City who informed the Toffees that they intended to take legal action if they were found to be in breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (Daily Mail, 17 November 2023), although a separate report suggested they might look to settle the matter privately (Daily Mail, 1 December, 2023).
Last month, Everton had a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal by an independent commission over an initial charge for flouting PSR rules. They are still awaiting to hear of any punishment for a second charge.
Leading sports lawyer Simon Leaf told the i newspaper (28 February) that Leeds, Southampton and Burnley would all take action against Everton after the appeal process for the first charge was concluded.
Former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, thinks the Whites would have an easy argument to make.
“I think it makes sense, doesn’t it? If you’ve suffered for someone else’s gain and your detriment financially and there’s a way of reclaiming that then absolutely,” he said.
“Everton have been found guilty, as we know, 10 points docked down to six. So six would seem to be the benchmark now and they have been found guilty of the charge and the charge they’ve been found guilty of potentially cost Leeds their place in the Premeir League last year, so absolutely financial remuneration is there.
“There’s an opportunity to do it because Everton have been found guilty. You’re not going to employ lawyers and you’re not going into a case where you’re hoping you might get something back or hoping you might win the case. You’ve already won the case because they’ve been found guilty.
“The fact they’ve been found guilty, was that to the detriment of other teams being in the Premier League? You look at the timespan and when they should have lost points, you would argue yes.
“So I think Leeds and three or four others have got a huge case.”
Leeds United and Everton saga rumbles on
It really is quite unclear as to what course of action will be taken here but you can certainly see why Leeds would feel so aggrieved, albeit even if Everton were deducted six points last season it still wouldn’t have saved them.
But, what they might argue, is that had they been punished last term then the context of the season changes and they might have been able to stave off relegation.
It is a complex situation that much is clear and one entirely of the Premier League’s own making. The fact it took so long to get to this point is baffling enough.
In other Leeds United news, Don Goodman delivered a promotion verdict after the Whites beat Sheffield Wednesday.
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