Everton could face points deduction over Marco Silva ‘tapping-up’ inquiry

Everton are facing a possible points deduction over their recruitment of Marco Silva, a report has claimed

Silva was appointed manager at Goodison Park in the summer, having been strongly linked with a move to the Merseyside club following the departure of Ronald Koeman last October. The 41-year-old was Watford manager at that point in time, though was sacked by the club in January. Announcing his departure, Watford had made clear that an 'unwarranted approach' from Everton had been a 'catalyst' in the decision to terminate his contract. The Times now report that an independent inquiry has been launched into Everton's alleged 'tapping-up' of Silva while he was employed at Vicarage Road. The report claims that Everton's hierarchy, including owner Farhad Moshiri, and their manager could be required to hand over phone records and diaries to a QC to uncover any contact between the two parties. The Premier League have already made attempts to settle the matter between the two clubs which have proved unsuccessful. It has now been passed on to lawyers appointed by the English top flight to examine the situation and establish whether there is any basis for a charge. Should the inquiry find that Everton have done wrong, the report adds that this could result in a substantial fine or even a points deduction. An official statement from Watford in July - released in response to 'misleading media reports' - made clear that the club was making a stand over what they felt was a clear breach of rules. 'We believe this situation is not about a compensation figure but the principle of making a stand when the actions of one Premier League club completely undermine and cause intrinsic damage to a fellow member club,' the statement explained.