It looks increasingly likely that Everton’s survival hopes will hinge on the outcome of two hearings later this season.
On Monday, the club were referred by the Premier League to a commission for an alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the 2022-23 season.
This follows the 10-point deduction, imposed in November, for another PSR breach in the 2021-22 season — a decision currently under appeal.
So what is going on? What chance do they have of avoiding another debilitating points deduction? And how damaging could this all be to their chances of avoiding relegation this season?
Hang on, haven’t Everton already been charged? Could they be deducted points again this season?
Well, yes and yes is the short answer.
Following a hearing in October, Everton were found to have breached PSR by £19.5million (now $24.8m) and lost 10 points this season — the largest sporting sanction in Premier League history. The club have appealed against the decision, describing it as “wholly disproportionate” and “unjust”.
Clubs are permitted to lose up to £105million over a three-year period once all permissible deductions are taken into account. These include expenditure on community schemes, academy and women’s teams, infrastructure projects and the impact of…
