17 November 2023 , 12:38
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The Premier League has backed an independent commission's findings against Everton's breach of profit and sustainability rules.
“An independent Commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League ’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules," the league said in a statement.
“The Premier League issued a complaint against the Club and referred the case to an independent Commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the Club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute.
“Following a five-day hearing last month, the Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5m, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105m permitted under the PSRs. The commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”
It was confirmed early on Friday afternoon that Everton had been hit with the penalty, which has dropped them into the relegation zone. And the Toffees have insisted they will fight the decision, which they labelled "unjust" and "disproportionate".
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"Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission. The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction," a club statement read.
"The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course.
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The Premier League, led by CEO Richard Masters, are set to receive an appeal by Everton (2023 Alex Livesey - Danehouse)"Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process. The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings.
"Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded."
It is the largest points deduction handed out to a Premier League club in the division's history. Portsmouth were the last to be hit with a penalty, when they entered administration in 2010 and were docked nine points.
The penalty leaves Sean Dyche's side on four points after 12 games, second bottom of the table. They had won four, drawn two and lost six of their opening matches.
The Premier League is currently in the midst of an international break, the final one of 2023. When the top-flight returns, Everton will host Manchester United at Goodison Park.