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.
The financially troubled club were hit with their second points deduction of the season on Monday to leave Sean Dyche’s team 16th in the league, two points above the relegation zone.
Owing to a dispute between Everton and the Premier League over stadium interest payments, the case remains unresolved and is now expected to drag into next season.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
‘Double jeopardy rule’
Everton have previously claimed they were suffering double jeopardy with the second charge, as two of the three years involved formed part of their first breach.
Unlike the English Football League, the Premier League does not have guidelines for dealing with financial periods already subjected to punishment.
Credit: PA How the points deduction is calculated
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.
Everton’s remaining fixtures
Today’s points deduction has dropped Everton down one place to 16th in the Premier League table, two points clear of the bottom three.
But they still have seven games remaining to make sure they stay above that drop zone and preserve their Premier League status. Here’s who they still have to play:
Chelsea (A)
Nottingham Forest (H)
Liverpool (H)
Brentford (H)
Luton (A)
Sheffield United (H)
Arsenal (A)
Who could be next for a points deduction
Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester are all facing potential deductions.
Pep Guardiola’s team denies the 115 allegations made against them while Chelsea flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era.
Leicester 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 Premier points deduction next term if they are promoted back to the top flight.
‘Starting to look like a vendetta’
Football fans have taken to X to voice their frustration at the latest points deduction for the club.
Here’s what some have had to say:
Sean Dyche: ‘Focus on the controllables’
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.”
Credit: PA Everton confirm they will appeal
Everton have confirmed they will now appeal against their second penalty. The Premier League can also appeal against the independent commission’s decision, to increase the penalty.
A club statement read: “In January 2024, Everton were charged by the Premier League for breaching the permitted profitability and sustainability thresholds for the assessment period ending 2022/23.”
How the bottom of the Premier League now looks
Everton’s eight-point deduction drops them to 16th in the league, just two points above the relegation zone. Nottingham Forest, in 17th position, have been deducted four points for breaching the same rules.
What next for Everton?
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.
More to follow …
What has the Premier League said about this latest development?
In a statement, the Premier League said: “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.”
What is the background to this latest deduction?
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
