Everton jump to 15th place after points deduction is reduced following appeal

The Toffees have moved five points clear of the relegation zone (Picture: Getty)

Everton have been handed four points back after appealing their initial 10-point deduction for breaking Premier League spending rules.

The Toffees were slapped with the biggest points penalty in top-flight history back in November and were flung into the relegation battle despite a promising start to the campaign.

But they appealed the punishment and an independent commission have now decided to reduced the penalty to six points.

That sees Everton jump two places in the table, up to 15th on goal difference at least until Brentford play on Monday night, and they are five points clear of the drop on 25 points.

However, they are not out of the woods just yet and still have a second charge hanging over them for falling foul of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules over a three-year period up to 2022-23 too – which could incur another six-point penalty.

A statement from Everton on Monday afternoon read: ‘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.

Monday’s news is a huge boost for Everton and Sean Dyche (Picture: Getty)

‘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 nine-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.

How the bottom of the table looks now…

13 – Crystal Palace | 28 points | -13 GD

14 – Bournemouth | 28 points | -14 GD

15 – Everton* | 25 points | -6 GD

16 – Brentford | 25 points | -9 GD

17 – Nottingham Forest | 24 points | -14 GD

18 – Luton Town | 20 points | -16 GD

19 – Burnley | 13 points | -33 GD

20 – Sheffield United | 13 points | -44 GD

‘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 had been ‘shocked and disappointed’ by the ‘harshness and severity’ of their initial punishment, with it even eclipsing the nine-point penalty handed to Portsmouth in 2010 for going into administration.

Their appeal was heard over three days earlier this month by an Appeal Board comprising of Sir Gary Hickinbottom (Chair), Daniel Alexander KC and Katherine Apps KC.

In their lengthy written notes, the Appeal Board said it had considered a host of mitigating factors – with Everton citing the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine among other issues – as well as other contextual points, such as the fact that 10 points represents ‘approximately 20 per cent of the mean and median points per season’.

The Premier League released a statement saying they were ‘satisfied with today’s decision and that the independent disciplinary process, clearly set out in its Rules and agreed by all clubs, has been followed throughout.’

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