Daniel Lewis

Mon 6 November 2023 12:10, UK

Former sporting director Victor Orta believes his time at Leeds United may have been viewed entirely differently had Everton been docked points last season.

Leeds’ three-season stay in the Premier League came to an end in May, with Orta’s Elland Road exit confirmed earlier the same month.

Orta has taken up the same role at Spanish side Sevilla, but he wonders what might have been had the Premier League punished Everton for alleged Financial Fair Play breaches.

“One thing I don’t like in England is the lack of consideration of the [FFP] rules,” Orta told the Daily Mail [6 November]. “LaLiga is trying to create sustainable clubs with breakeven budgets.

“Perhaps my future would have been different – for better or worse – if Everton’s points deduction was for last season.”

Aggrieved

Orta oversaw a mixed period at Elland Road, with promotion in 2020 the obvious highlight and relegation earlier this year – albeit technically confirmed after he had departed – a low point.

Putting aside any personal feelings, the 44-year-old is right to feel aggrieved about Everton not being handed a points deduction last season.

The Toffees have been threatened with a possible 12-point punishment that will likely kick in this season if found guilty of breaching FFP regulations in their ongoing case [The Telegraph, 25 October].

However, if it is found they broke the rules prior to this season, the retrospective action helps Leeds in no way.

Many will point out that it would have been Leicester City who stayed up at Everton’s expense had the deduction kicked in last season, but that does not tell the whole story as Leeds would have been playing for different results had the Toffees been below them.

Nothing is going to change now, but thankfully Leeds look good value to make a swift return to the Premier League on the basis of the first few months of the season.

In other Leeds United news, a journalist has outlined what might cost the Whites promotion this season after what he has seen.