Everton Football Club has received an immediate 10-point deduction from the Premier League for breaching the league’s financial rules. This penalty was imposed by an independent commission after it was found that Everton had exceeded the permitted losses of £105 million over a three-year period.
Everton’s 10-point deduction has caused them to drop from 14th to 19th place in the Premier League standings.
The club is now level on points with last-placed Burnley.
Prior to the deduction, Everton had accumulated 14 points from their opening 12 games of the season.
The deduction places Everton in the relegation zone, increasing the pressure on the team to improve their performance.
Everton has expressed shock and disappointment at the decision and has announced its intention to appeal the deduction.
The club believes that the sanction is disproportionate and unjust.
Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in providing information to the Premier League and has respected the integrity of the process.
The club does not recognize the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith.
The independent commission stated that Everton’s breach of the financial rules was a result of their own actions and irresponsibility.
The commission highlighted that Everton had overspent on player transfers despite being aware of potential financial difficulties.
Everton had invested nearly 750 million euros in transfers since the 2016-17 season.
The commission deemed Everton’s decision to continue spending on players without curbing expenses to be a poor judgment.
The Premier League’s decision to deduct points from Everton for breaching financial rules has raised questions about the need for an independent regulator in football governance.
UK lawmaker Caroline Dinenage has expressed disappointment and called for the establishment of an independent regulator to ensure fair and sustainable practices in English football.