What led Everton to be handed a two-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules?

Everton have been handed another points deduction for breaching the Premier League profitability and sustainability rules. The Toffees have two points deducted from their tally for a £16.6 million overspend up to 2023.

The latest deduction has seen Everton move a spot below to 16th in the Premier League table. They were handed a 10-point deduction earlier this season, but it was reduced to six following a successful appeal in February.

They are now just two points away from 18th-placed Luton Town, who are level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest. However, Sean Dyche’s side have a game in gane compared to the two sides, and also over Brentford who are right above them in the table.

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Everton are not happy with the ruling but have confirmed the commission accepted their points. They believe that the issues happened because of the war in Ukraine, which had an impact on the club.

“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 cooperation 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 Premier League, who recommended a 5-points deduction this time, have also released a statement and said:

“The independent commission reaffirmed the principle that any breach of the PSRs is significant and justifies, indeed requires, a sporting sanction.”

BBC has reported that things have not cooled down for the Toffees as a third points deduction could be on the way. They claim that the interest cost associated with the building of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is an issue, but it could be moved to next season.

The independent commission were quick to note that Everton were already handed a punishment this season and it was not fair to hand them another severe sentence. They agreed that the club suffered a loss of revenue due to the war as their deal with Russian company USM was cut off.

Everton’s early admission of guilt also played a role in helping them get the punishment reduced.