Everton had points deducted again, a blow to their Premier League survival

Everton received a further two point deduction from the Premier League for breaching Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

The latest nice, which Everton is appealing, follows a breach of Premier League financial rules over the three-year cycle to the 2022-23 season.

PSR rules allow clubs to lose up to £105m over three years, however the Premier League says Everton has admitted breaching this figure by £16.6m.

Everton argued during a three-day hearing before an independent commission last month that they faced a “double jeopardy”.

At the beginning of the season, the Merseyside club received a 10-point deduction for losses incurred over a three-year period up to the 2021-22 season.

This was later reduced to six points on appeal, however the club still faced further sanctions following a second PSR accusation in January.

This latest point deduction drops Everton one place to sixteenth within the table, two points above the relegation zone.

It followed Saturday’s 1-0 win over Burnley – the Toffees’ first win in 13 games – which lifted Sean Dyche’s side out of trouble.

Fellow Nottingham Forest players received four-point deductions last month after their own PSR breaches, with Everton saying it was “very concerned about the inconsistency” of the assorted point deductions.

A press release issued by Goodison Park said: “While the club takes the view that further sanctions should not appropriate, the club welcomes the indisputable fact that the committee has taken into consideration many of the issues raised by the club, including the concept of a double penalty, the numerous mitigating circumstances faced by the club found itself in reference to the war in Ukraine, in addition to a high level of cooperation and an early admission of the violation by the club.

“Everton remains committed to working with the league on all matters relating to the PSR, but is deeply concerned by the inconsistency of the various committees in the points deductions applied.

“The club would like to express its thanks to the Supporters Advisory Council and other fan groups for the submissions made during this process, and to all Evertonians for their continued patience and tireless support.

“The club and its legal representatives have begun preparations to appeal against the commission’s decision.”

The Premier League said in a statement: “During a three-day hearing last month, the independent commission heard evidence and arguments from the club on a number of potential mitigating factors in relation to the £16.6 million breach award, including the impact of two further PSR charges.

“Having done so, the committee has determined that the appropriate sanction will be a two-point deduction, which will take effect immediately.

“The independent commission has reaffirmed the principle that any safety violation is significant and warrants, and indeed requires, sporting sanctions.”