EVERTON have been handed a second points deduction leaving them just above the relegation zone.
The Toffees have been slapped with a two-point deduction for breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) last season – which they plan to appeal.
It’s the second deduction they have been hit with this season after being docked six points – ten before a successful appeal – earlier in the campaign.
The Toffees were charged by the Premier League for their fresh PSR breaches back in January and have been awaiting their punishment ever since.
And now The Premier League have announced that their wait is over, confirming they have been handed a two-point penalty – taking their total deduction this season to EIGHT POINTS.
A Premier League statement read: “An independent Commission has given an immediate two-point deduction to Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) for the period ending Season 2022/23.
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“Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent Commission heard evidence and arguments from the club in respect of a range of potential mitigating factors for its admitted breach of £16.6m, Including the impact of its two successive PSR charges.
“Having done so, the Commission determined the appropriate sanction to be a two-point deduction, taking effect immediately.
“The independent Commission reaffirmed the principle that any breach of the PSRs is significant and justifies, indeed requires, a sporting sanction.”
The hit drops the Merseyside club from 29 points in 15th place down to 27 points in 16th – just two points above Nottingham Forest and 18th placed Luton Town.
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Everton were already in a relegation scrap before their new punishment, but will now feel that survival is an uphill battle in the remaining seven games of the season.
Everton followed the Premier League’s announcement with a statement of their own, announcing their intention to appeal the decision.
It read: “In January 2024, Everton were charged by the Premier League for breaching the permitted Profit and Sustainability thresholds for the assessment period ending 2022/23.
“The matter was referred to a Premier League Commission, which has today announced Everton will receive an immediate two-point deduction.
“While the Club’s position has been that no further sanction was appropriate, the Club is pleased to see that the Commission has given credit to the majority of the issues raised by the Club.
“Including the concept of double punishment, the significant mitigating circumstances facing the Club due to the war in Ukraine, and the high level of co-operation and early admission of the Club’s breach.
“Everton remains committed to working collaboratively with the League on all matters relating to PSR but is extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied.
“The Club would like to place on record its thanks to the Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups for their submissions during this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing patience and unstinting support.
“The Club and its legal representatives have begun the preparations to appeal the Commission’s decision.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
The Premier League’s PSR regulations allow clubs to lose £105m over a three-year accounting period and Everton have now been found to have breached that threshold for two consecutive periods.
Everton’s six-point deduction earlier in the campaign came after they breached the allowed £105m threshold by £19.5m
The extent of their breach for this second charge has now been confirmed to be £16.6m.
Nottingham Forest – who were charged on the same date as Everton in January – were handed a four-point deduction for their breaches of £34.5m across a three-year period.
The Reds have also confirmed they will be appealing the decision in a similar fashion to how Everton appealed their first deduction and intend to appeal this second punishment.
Everton manager Sean Dyche has already urged his team to focus on the “controllables” during their relegation dog-fight and focus on their results instead of any points deductions.
Speaking after a 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, he said: “I’ve reminded the players we can control the controllables.
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“We’ve had another step forward to change that [by beating Burnley], I’m not saying we have every answer.
“But it is a very important victory I think that’s another step forward in the mentality to take the rest of the season on.”
THE PSR STATE OF PLAY
Where clubs in danger stand…
Nottingham Forest
Deducted four points for breaching spending limit by £34.563m. Have launched an appeal, with final decision expected by early May.
Everton
Initial 10 point deduction for 2021-22 breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Now deducted a further two points.
Manchester City
Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.
Chelsea
Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.
Leicester
Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction next term if they are promoted back to the top flight.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
