Everton docked two points in latest Premier League sanctions punishment

Everton FC has been deducted two points by the Premier League in its latest sanction for breaching PRS (Profit and Sustainability Rules) rules.

The deduction drops the club just one place in the Premier League, below Brentford.

The club was docked 10 points last November, the biggest punishment in Premier League history, dumping the Blues into the bottom three.

However, the 10-point deduction was reduced to six points following the club’s appeal in February.

The latest punishment follows publication of the club’s most recent financial accounts last week which revealed it had made an £89.1m loss during 2022-23.

PSR allows clubs to lose up to £35m per season before facing sanctions.

The club said, in response, that it will appeal the deduction.

Everton has argued that the sanctions were unfair, claiming the construction of its £760m new stadium had weighed heavily on its finances over the past three years.

It also pointed to a loss of around £20m a year in sponsorship from Russian Alisher Usmanov’s company, after his sanction following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Premier League said: “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.”

In a statement, Everton said: “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.”