Everton FC Points Deduction: Punishment Reduced After Appeal

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Facts

  • Following a review by an independent appeal board, the English Premier League (EPL) has reduced Everton Football Club's penalty for breaking Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) from 10 points to six.1
  • In Nov. 2023, following a five-day hearing the month prior, Everton received an immediate points deduction from an independent Premier League Commission for recording a £124.5M ($158M) loss during the 2021/22 season, above the league's threshold of £105M ($133M).2
  • In its written conclusion, the appeal board claims that in sanctioning a 10-point deduction the Premier League Commission was 'wrong' to claim that Everton had not acted in 'utmost good faith,' and did not take in account previous 'available benchmarks' provided by the English Football League (EFL).3
  • Despite the penalty reduction, the club continues to be investigated alongside Nottingham Forest FC for a second breach of the Premier League's PSRs during the 2022/23 season. The stated 'range of sanctions' includes 'fines, point deductions, and other sporting sanctions.'4
  • Following the decision, Everton released a statement claiming that while the club is 'still digesting' the decision, it was 'satisfied' with a points reduction and 'remain[ed] fully committed' to cooperating with ongoing proceedings concerning 2022/23.5
  • With an additional four points, Everton now sits in 15th place in the EPL, having previously been positioned one point off the relegation zone in 17th. Everton's 2022/23 case must be concluded by April 8, with any appeal concluding by May 24 — a week after the season concludes.6

Sources: 1Premier League (a), 2Premier League (b), 3Resources Premier League, 4Premier League (c), 5Everton FC and 6BBC News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Royal Blue Mersey. This decision is a win for Everton, which has been cleared of malicious intent and is moving up the table. While another set of charges loom, there is hope upon appeal that the situation will remain manageable and, given a good run of form, that the club will remain in the Premier League.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Liverpool Echo. While welcome news for the club's fans, the reality remains that Everton has been disastrously run and mistreated by its owners. Furthermore, for the Premier League to have chosen to undergo this saga midway through a season is ridiculous, and is a disservice to fans and clubs across the country affected by these decisions. Despite a glimmer of hope, the future remains gloomy for Everton, which braces for a second round of punishment and continues to be managed by ineptitude.