Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke about Bill Kenwright and Everton’s Financial Fair Play case live on Sky Sports
Steve Parish hopes to see improved rules implemented in the Premier League plus a “fair and proportionate” punishment as the results of Everton’s Financial Fair Play case are awaited. The Crystal Palace chairman also paid tribute to his Blues counterpart Bill Kenwright, who passed away earlier this week.
Both pieces of news rocked the Everton headlines this week, first to lose such a pillar in the club’s community and then to discover that a major punishment could be on the way.
It has been speculated by the Telegraph the it could come in the form of a points deduction, fine or even a transfer embargo, with the Premier League recommending an extremely severe penalty.
Parish was asked about the matter by Jamie Carragher ahead of his team’s Friday night meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on Sky Sports, and criticised the current method the league uses to officiate financial matters
But first and foremost, he honoured the late Kenwright and his work throughout 19 years as Everton’s chairman.
“Can I just mention Bill [Kenwright] because I was so close to that man and he’s done an excellent job at that club – one of only six clubs that have never been relegated and what a job he did,” he began.
“On one level it’s sad to see them where they are with the issues they have got, but on another level he’s built an exciting future for the club. The new stadium is being built and Everton will always be a big club and they will be an even bigger club.”
“As far as sanctions go, I don’t think the rules that we had, with this three-year retrospective look back were effective rules because it gave you rules that would allow you to have a squad in breach of the rules if you like, until four years down the road or even thinking that you could fix it somehow. I think everybody is looking for a better set of rules.
The Blues have been subject to an investigation from an independent commission since March 24 after being charged by top-flight officials. The financial breaches this related to were losses of £372m posted in the 2021/22 campaign.
Everton have since narrowly avoided relegation twice in that time, and so despite feeling the current system works against Everton, Parish can sympathise with the other Premier League clubs wishing to see the appropriate sanctions implemented.
“People quite rightly feel that if some people are following the rules and some people aren’t, then there should be a penalty for that,” the businessman continued. “I can’t comment on whether Everton have or haven’t broken the rules, we don’t know that and don’t have that kind of insight.
“I know there is a case going on and I’m sure they will get to the right answer with that and I hope it’s fair and proportionate whatever they do.”
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