(Football news) For a previous financial violation in November, the Toffees were penalized a record 10 points, the most punishment of that kind in Premier League history. However, their penalty was later reduced to six on appeal.
Everton’s first infraction concerned the three-year accounting term for the 2021–22 season; nevertheless, the club was accused of violating the same regulations for the same period concluding in the 2022–23 campaign in January.
After six seasons without a profit, the Toffees reported at the end of last month a massive loss of £89.1 million for the 2022–2023 season, increasing their total debt to nearly £330 million.
Owing to their latest deduction, Everton – who ended the last gameweek in 15th place thanks to a 1-0 win over Burnley – have now dropped below Brentford into 16th spot with 27 points from 31 games this season.
Sean Dyche’s side are now just two points better off than relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in 17th and Luton Town below the dotted line in 18th, although they have a game in hand on both clubs.
The two-point penalty was imposed by an independent commission, and in a statement, Everton confirmed that they planned to appeal the punishment and expressed ‘extreme concern’ at the “inconsistency” of different independent panels regarding points deductions.
“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,” a club statement read.
“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.”
While Everton plan to appeal the independent commission’s decision, the Premier League can also choose to request a re-examination, which could lead to the Toffees being handed a more severe punishment.
In addition to the Merseyside team, which attributes its skyrocketing debt to a “significant investment” in their new stadium, Forest also lost four points in March due to PSR violations, a decision that the Tricky Trees are contesting.
Everton, one of just six teams to have participated in every Premier League season since the league’s founding in 1992, will play their next game away to Chelsea on April 15 and then host Forest six days later in a pivotal home match.
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