Everton could be sued by three clubs after record-breaking points deduction
Everton's problems could be about to deepen further with the club set to be sued amid the sensational news they have been deducted 10 Premier League points with immediate effect.
Back in March, with their battle against relegation still very much in the balance, the club were charged by the Premier League with an alleged breach of financial fair play rules. It came amid posting huge losses of £372million over the previous three years, way in excess of the £105million limit.
At the time, the Toffees were fighting to avoid the bottom three with Southampton, Leicester, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest all in the mix with them. Indeed, to no avail, the four clubs applied for Everton’s disciplinary hearing to be fast-tracked so that any subsequent punishment would apply to the 2022/23 campaign and impact the final table.
Their request was supported by Burnley, who had been relegated the previous season and despite being able to bounce back at the first attempt, suffered financially from dropping out of the top-flight. Eventually, Sean Dyche's side stayed up in nail-biting fashion, beating Bournemouth 1-0 on the final day of the season.
While Southampton had long been confined to relegation, it was Leeds and Leicester who dropped with them. All clubs involved had previously claimed that relegation would cost them around £100million each, incorporating the loss of Premier League income for a season after the deduction of parachute payments.
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And is reporting that following the news of Everton's sanctions on Friday, Burnley, Leeds and Leicester have indeed confirmed their intention to sue for a cumulative total of £300million. Senior figures at the three clubs reportedly held talks in the immediate aftermath of the Premier League's decision to reiterate their plans.
Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates his goal against Bournemouth that kept Everton up (Everton FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Was it right to deduct 10 points off Everton? Comment below.
Everton responded to the news by immediately announcing their intention to appeal. Critically though, it is the extremity of the punishment, and not the findings, that is being disputed: "The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction," they said.
"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."
As it stands, Dyche and co have dropped to 19th on four points, the same amount as rock bottom Burnley. The situation is anything but lost though, with the squad just two points adrift of safety and 17th place.
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