Biggest penalty in Premier League history: Everton deducted 10 points! Manchester City and Chelsea could be even worse?

On November 17, Beijing time, the Premier League issued a statement saying that an independent committee found that Everton Club had violated the Premier League's rules on profitability and sustainable development, and had imposed a penalty of 10 Premier League points on the club.

It is reported that the Premier League stipulates that clubs shall not lose more than 105 million pounds (about 940 million yuan) every three years, while Everton's loss in the three years ending the 2021-2022 season will reach 124.5 million pounds (about 1.12 billion yuan). British media say it is the harshest penalty in the history of the Premier League. Before the deduction of points, Everton accumulated 14 points in 12 rounds of 4 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses this season, ranking 14th in the Premier League. After being deducted 10 points, Everton fell to 19th place, along with bottom-placed Burnley, with four points after 12 rounds.

Everton's latest Premier League standings after being deducted 10 points

Everton will appeal: both shocked and disappointed

In a statement, the Premier League said they referred the case to an independent commission earlier this year. Everton FC have acknowledged the breach, but there is controversy over the extent of the breach. An independent committee held a five-day hearing on the matter last month and found that Everton had lost £124.5 million in the three years to the 2021-2022 season. 

Everton issued a statement on the verdict on their website, saying they were "shocked and disappointed". "The club believes that the Commission has imposed a totally unreasonable and unfair sporting sanction. The club has expressed its willingness to appeal to the Premier League. "Appeals have now been opened and the case will be heard by the Premier League's appointed Appeals Board. Everton are confident that the information provided by the club to the Premier League is open and transparent, and that the integrity of the process is always respected. Everton Football Club has denied accepting that it had failed to act in the best faith, and does not consider this to be an allegation that the Premier League should have made in the course of its review, arguing that the severe sanctions imposed by the Commission were not a fair and reasonable response to the evidence submitted.  

Liverpool Mayor Rotherham is a supporter of the Liverpool team, but he has also expressed his support to his local rivals on social media. Rotherham wrote: "This is an excessive and grossly unfair penalty against an allegation and a blow to the future of the Premier League. I will support the club's appeal and write to the Premier League asking them to drop the penalty. It's a matter of fairness, not any position or competition. ”

Manchester City and Chelsea could face more severe penalties

According to the Mirror, Everton's penalty was only for breaching Premier League rules once, while Manchester City were charged with breaching the rules 115 times. At the moment, Chelsea are also still under investigation, but the accusations seem inevitable as their new owners have self-reported huge payments for breaches of Premier League rules during their previous tenure. Given the penalties imposed on Everton, City and Chelsea will face the threat of a 30-point deduction or automatic relegation if the allegations are confirmed by the Independent Oversight Board.

Stephen Bolson, a lawyer who has worked as a consultant for Manchester City, said: "A 10-point penalty is too harsh for Everton. If Manchester City are found guilty of irregularities, and if Chelsea are charged and found to have violated the rules, they will both face relegation. Given the magnitude of the penalties, Chelsea have to rethink their approach, and they can't think they can break the financial rules and pay a fine and be fine. ” 

It has been revealed that new Chelsea owner Boehly has been under investigation according to IC photo

Regarding Everton's penalty of deducting 10 points, some fans also expressed their views on social media. Some fans said with mockery, "(Manchester City's) 115 accusations are tantamount to silence. (Everton) 1 charge, which is equivalent to a deduction of 10 points. This is the best league in the world. Another fan said, "Manchester City was freed and Everton was penalized, what a joke." "Manchester City are still under investigation, but it may be a long time before the results are known. According to previous analysis by the British media, due to the hundreds of irregularities involved in Manchester City, the independent committee in charge of the verdict may "take years to reach a conclusion".

The three clubs will join forces to sue Everton for £300 million

Everton's 10-point deduction also set off a ripple effect. According to the Daily Mail, Burnley, Leeds United and Leicester City have confirmed that they will sue Everton and claim £300 million.

It is reported that after the Premier League confirmed that Everton had breached the Financial Fair Play Act and were deducted 10 points, the senior management of Burnley, Leicester City and Leeds United held talks and reiterated their grievance plan.

Both this summer and last summer, Everton narrowly narrowed out to avoid relegation, much to the delight of Burnley, Leicester City and Leeds United. Leeds United and Leicester City have been relegated to the Championship, while Burnley have been relegated from the Premier League last year and are back in the Premier League this year. Burnley, Leeds United and Leicester City all believe Everton have breached the Financial Fair Play Act. The three clubs are unhappy that they had not previously punished Everton. It is reported that after the announcement of the penalty, their feelings were even stronger.

On May 28, 2023 local time, in the 38th round of the 22/23 Premier League season, Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0 in a thrilling relegation, and fans rushed into the stadium to celebrate

In addition, the £300 million figure is based on a rough estimate of what each club thinks they will lose if they are relegated to the Championship. Facing a joint legal action from the three clubs is undoubtedly a major blow for Everton, which could undermine the US investment firm's plans to acquire them.

Edited by Cheng Li