Everton have been given a further two-point deduction for a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
The penalty, imposed by an independent commission that the Premier League referred Everton to in January, is the Merseyside club’s second of the campaign and relates to the three-year accounting period ending in the 2022-23 season.
Everton’s latest deduction drops them down a place to 16th in the Premier League standings, two points above the relegation zone.
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.
“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.”
Everton were hit with a 10-point penalty in November for a PSR breach relating to the three-year period ending in the 2021-22 season, though that was reduced to six in February.
Everton confirmed they will now appeal against their second penalty. The Premier League can also appeal against the independent commission’s decision, to increase the sanction.
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.
“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.
