What have Everton done? Premier League club get new two-point deduction for PSR breaches

Everton's bid to remain in the Premier League was dealt a fresh blow on Monday, April 8 when the club was docked two points for breaching the division's financial rules.

Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in England's top flight permit clubs to lose £105 million ($132.77m) over a rolling three-year period.

The Premier League charged Everton with breaches of these rules in January 2024, and an independent commission has found the Goodison Park club breached by £16.6m.

As a result, Everton dropped to 16th place in the table and are now just two points above the relegation zone, despite last weekend's 1-0 win over Burnley — their first Premier League win since beating the same opponents back in December.

Everton announced they will appeal the decision, having done so when they were hit with a 10-point PSR penalty earlier this season. That punishment was reduced to six.

IN DEPTH: What are Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules?

The rolling three-year assessment periods used by the Premier League means clubs who breach are inherently at risk of doing so again.

Everton's initial deduction related to the three years up to and including the 2021/22 season. Their latest breach takes in 2022/23 and the two prior campaigns. 

In its ruling, the independent commission stated that any PSR breach justified a three-point deduction, with Everton's worthy of a five-point penalty because their £16.6m overspend was deemed "significant".

However, the commission took into account three main arguments for mitigation, including that the club had already been deducted points this season. Everton's sponsorship deal with Russian company USM being suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine and an early admission of guilt also worked in their