Everton appeal against Premier League points deduction

LONDON: Everton have lodged a formal appeal against a two-point penalty imposed on the club for breaching Premier League financial regulations, reports said on Monday.

The club admited breaching profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) for permited losses by £16.6 million ($20.7 million) for the assessment period ending with the 2022/23 season.

The punishment followed a previous six-point penalty imposed for the three-year period to 2021/22, reduced from 10 on appeal.

PSR permit clubs to lose £105 million over a rolling three-year period.

Everton, who have been ever present in the English top flight since the 1954/55 season, are 16th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone with seven games to play, ater losing eight points in total.

Notingham Forest, just above the drop zone, last month lodged an appeal against a four-point deduction.

Meanwhile, Leicester City cannot be deducted any points in the second-tier Championship if they are convicted of any violations of the Premier League’s spending rules, the English Football League (EFL) said.

Leicester, who were relegated from the top flight last season, were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League last month for alleged violations of the league’s spending rules.

The Championship’s governing body EFL wrote to the Premier League saying they would apply any sanction handed down on Leicester while they are still in the second tier, a move Leicester opposed.

However, the EFL said they later changed their position in a leter to the English FA’S League Arbitration Panel (LAP).

“EFL has confirmed to all parties that ... it does not have the power under the Regulations as currently drated,” the EFL said in a statement.

Leicester said they will continue to co-operate with Premier League and the EFL with regards to the charges against them.

“Anychargesagainsttheclubshouldbeproperly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time,” Leicester said.

The LAP said that the Premier League Disciplinary Commission’s proceedings against Leicester will not be expedited to conclude by May 4 due to any possible points deductions not being applicable this season.