Aston Villa and Wolves Premier League rivals handed shock points deduction

The Premier League have confirmed Everton have been handed a further two-point deduction for breaching their profit and sustainability regulations.

The Toffees were hit with a ten-point penalty in November after the league found they fallen foul of PSR for a three-year period that ended with the 2021/22 season. However, that deduction was reduced to six points in February following an appeal from the Goodison Park club. The new sanction covers an assessment period up to the end of last season after the Toffees reported an £89.1million loss at the end of the campaign.

A Premier League statement released on Monday afternoon 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. 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 £16.6million, 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 deduction heightens fears the Toffees could be facing a first ever relegation from English football’s top tier as the additional deduction means Sean Dyche’s men now sit just two points above the drop zone with seven games left in what has been a troubled season. Crucial fixtures against the likes of fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, Luton Town and Sheffield United will now have increased importance and former Burnley boss Dyche looks to keep the club in the top tier.

The Toffees immediately released a statement confirming they had received a sanction and will appeal the decision - but also expressed their commitment on ‘working collaboratively with the League on all matters relating to PSR’

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.”