Everton have bolstered their legal team for the club’s appeal against their 10-point deduction by appointing one of the UK’s top barristers.
Laurence Rabinowitz KC is regarded as a “super silk”, one of a select group of barristers renowned for their exceptional legal expertise, and his involvement in the case is an indication of the club’s determination to successfully challenge the historic censure handed down by the Premier League in November for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Everton’s appeal against the recommendation by the independent commission and the subsequent points penalty, which was described by the club as “wholly disproportionate and unjust”, is expected to be heard in the coming weeks by a new commission.
According to Paul Joyce in The Times, “Rabinowitz, who specialises in commercial litigation, will lead the appeal and work in tandem with James Segan KC, who represented Everton at the original hearing. His appointment is regarded by Everton as a coup given he is in huge demand and they believe he falls alongside Lord Pannick KC, who has been hired by Manchester City in their fight against 115 Premier League charges, and Jonathan Crow CVO, KC, as the best in the United Kingdom.”
Joyce reports that the appeal will focus on the regulatory process followed by the original three-man panel in determining that Everton deserved a bigger points deduction than the one levied against Portsmouth for going into administration 14 years ago, with no new evidence being heard.