Everton football club have had their 10-point deduction reduced to six.
This comes after the club was found to have breached the leagues profitability and sustainability rules last November.
An independent commission had found that the club had exceeded the league’s permitted losses by £19.5m over the 2021-2022 season.
If clubs suffer a loss of more than £105m in three years, they can incur penalties.
The club appealed the sanctioned and had the 10-point penalty changed to six after a three-day hearing that concluded yesterday.
This puts Everton at 15th in the league table, three points above the relegation zone.
Fan reaction to the decision has been mixed.
Everton fan podcast The Blue Room said: “Given how tired this has made us feel since November, to have something given back to us that effectively puts us in a better position in terms of being able to stay in the premier league, that’s what I’ve tried to keep front and centre”.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham called the original decision unfair on X/Twitter and said: “The league should publish the formula it uses for calculating penalties for similar breaches moving forward.”
Ell Bretland for Sports Quotes and Facts said: “Having an independent commission that makes legal errors and isn’t fit for purpose therefor having to reassess and reduce the decision doesn’t seem a very profitable or sustainable way for the Premier League to operate”.
However the club was also found to have breached the league’s profit and sustainability rules for the 2022-23 season and a hearing for this will take place on April 5.
Premier league club Nottingham Forest, who are 17th in the table, face the same penalties.
The appeal board for the decision was independent of both the club and the league.
Everton will play West Ham at home this Saturday.
- Leave your thoughts on the decision in the comments below.
Featured image (c) Alamy used under license
