Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals blame ‘Ukraine war’ as further points deduction awarded

Everton have announced they will appeal an independent commission’s decision to deduct a further two Premier League points.

In November, the Toffees faced a 10-point penalty - reduced to six on appeal - for breaching financial regulations. This plunged Sean Dyche’s side into the relegation zone but they have since recovered.

However, more turmoil unravelled in January when the Premier League charged Everton again for their accounts from last season. A rule change last summer forced clubs to submit their balance sheet by December 31 so punishments could be served in the current campaign.

Nottingham Forest were also charged and were dealt a four-point penalty by an independent commission last week. Everton insisted a further deduction would signal "double punishment" for the same offence as FFP/PSR is governed over a three-year period.

Blues chiefs also bizarrely blamed “mitigating circumstances facing the club due to the war in Ukraine” in a club statement that revealed they will appeal the verdict. An announcement read: “In January 2024, Everton were charged by the Premier League for breaching the permitted Profit and Sustainability thresholds for the assessment period ending 2022/23.

“The matter was referred to a Premier League commission, which has today announced Everton will receive an immediate two-point deduction. While the club’s position has been that no further sanction was appropriate, the club is pleased to see that the commission has given credit to the majority of the issues raised by the club, including the concept of double punishment, the significant mitigating circumstances facing the club due to the war in Ukraine, and the high level of co-operation and early admission of the club’s breach.

“Everton remains committed to working collaboratively with the Premier League on all matters relating to PSR but is extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied. The club would like to place on record its thanks to the Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups for their submissions during this process and to all Evertonians for their ongoing patience and unstinting support.

“The club and its legal representatives have begun the preparations to appeal the Commission’s decision. No further comment will be made at this time.”