English football needs protecting from Premier League after Everton farce and latest decision

“We must guard against unintended consequences that would put English football’s success at risk.”

That was the warning directed to those in power by the Premier League in an advert it placed earlier this month. It was the latest move by an organisation that is fighting a losing battle against what it views as outside interference that could undermine its immense success.

But who is reaping the benefit of that success? And at what cost? Whether the organisation is protecting the beautiful game or its own interests is a legitimate question in another troubling week for English football and during a chess game in which Everton have become a central piece.

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The advert referred to above was placed on the same day Everton’s second points deduction was delivered. That’s right - the second deduction, let us not forget, was handed down in the same season for offences that took place over different campaigns. Everton have breached the rules and deserve punishment. The club and its fans also deserve fairness and proportionality. Instead, Everton are breaking new ground as the club falls foul of profit and sustainability regulations that are trapping the club in its struggle and not paving the way for progress. The day after that advert appeared in Politico, and Everton were again made to feel like a club being made an example of, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters was writing in The Times about the same subject: the threat of independent regulation.

The punishment handed to Everton between those cries against outside interference may have been decided by an