In a bitter blow to Everton, a founding member of the Premier League grappling with financial turmoil, the club faced additional agony as it received a 10-point penalty for violating the league’s economic regulations. This setback not only pushed Everton to the bottom of the league standings but also heightened the risk of relegation from England’s top division by the end of the season.
The anticipation of a points deduction was palpable, fueled by pressure from rival teams aggrieved by Everton’s rule breaches. The Premier League’s decision, marking the largest penalty in its history, sent shockwaves through Everton, a venerable soccer institution facing an uncertain future laden with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.
The independent league commission, overseeing Everton’s case for breaching profit and sustainability rules, announced the unprecedented punishment. The immediate application of the penalty swiftly dropped the Blues from a relatively secure 14th position to 19th, tied with last-place Burnley at 4 points.
Expressing shock and disappointment, Everton promptly declared its intention to appeal the decision, denouncing the penalty as “wholly disproportionate and unjust.” The club’s precarious financial state has necessitated regular cash infusions, with the most recent loan coming from American group 777 Partners, pending approval amid regulatory scrutiny.
Everton’s breach of financial regulations, posting losses for the fifth consecutive year, led to the Premier League referral. The independent panel agreed with the league’s assessment, finding Everton exceeded the permitted losses by £19.5 million ($25 million).
The scale of Everton’s penalty sets a precedent, raising concerns about a potential larger punishment for Manchester City, facing 115 rule breaches related to financial declarations. While the 10-point deduction heightens the risk of Everton’s historic relegation, the slim point differentials among relegation rivals offer a glimmer of hope for survival, even in the face of this unprecedented setback.
