Newcastle United's Premier League rivals 'shocked' by record points deduction

Newcastle United's Premier League rivals Everton have been left shocked by a ten-point deduction for breaching financial fair play regulations.

The punishment has set a new Premier League record as the Toffees have been subjected to the biggest sporting sanction in the 31-year history of the competition. The deduction will come as a major blow to Sean Dyche after his side suffered just one defeat in their last five Premier League games to move into eight points clear of the relegation zone.

However, the sanction means the Toffees will slip to second from bottom in the Premier League relegation zone, with only a superior goal difference to Dyche’s former club Burnley keeping them from the foot of the table.

Everton have been swift in their response to the punishment, brandishing the deduction as ‘wholly disproportionate’ and confirming they have already instigated an appeal which will be heard ‘in due course’

A statement released on the club website read in full: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission.

"The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course.

“Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process. The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. 

“Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

“Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded.”