Huge relief for Everton! Toffees see 10-point Premier League deduction reduced to six after successful appeal

The Toffees were initially punished for financial mismanagement back in November 2023, with a penalty at that point dropping them into the relegation zone. They were quick to challenge that ruling and have now proved successful in their appeal.

Everton have got four points back, which is enough to lift them up to 15th in the Premier League table – five points clear of the relegation zone, but with another Financial Fair Play charge still hanging over their heads alongside top-flight rivals Nottingham Forest.

A Premier League statement read: “An independent appeal board has concluded that the sanction for Everton FC’s breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs), for the period ending Season 2021/22, will be an immediate six-point deduction. This follows the club’s appeal of an independent commission’s decision in November 2023 to impose a 10-point deduction for the club’s breach of the PSRs. The appeal was heard over three days earlier this month, by an appeal board comprising Sir Gary Hickinbottom (Chair), Daniel Alexander KC and Katherine Apps KC. Everton FC appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted. Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six. This revised sanction has immediate effect and the Premier League table will be updated today to reflect this.”

Everton added in a statement of their own: “Everton can confirm an Appeal Board has concluded that the points deduction imposed by an independent Premier League Commission in November be reduced from 10 points to six points, with immediate effect. While the club is still digesting the appeal board’s decision, we are satisfied our appeal has resulted in a reduction in the points sanction. We understand the appeal board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the Commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the 9-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League’s own rules in the event of insolvency.

“The club is also particularly pleased with the Appeal Board’s decision to overturn the original commission’s finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith. That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the club on appeal. The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal. Notwithstanding the appeal board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023. The club is still considering the wider implications of the decision and will make no further comment at this time other than to place on record its thanks to our Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups throughout this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing support and patience.”

Everton were hit with another Premier League charge in January which was “a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23”. More action could be taken there, while reigning champions Manchester City are still waiting to discover their fate after being stung with 115 historical charges relating to FFP breaches.