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Topics: Everton, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Everton could be handed a further nine-point deduction if it is ruled that other clubs should be compensated for their spending breaches, it has been claimed.
The Toffees were handed an instant 10-point deduction by the Premier League on Friday for breaches of the division's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The ruling drops Sean Dyche's side down to 19th place in the table on four points, although they are only two points away from safety.
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Everton criticised the harshness of the punishment in a club statement, and have confirmed their intention to appeal.
But things could get even worse for the club amid a reported legal challenge from other clubs, according to the Daily Mail.
They claimed on Friday that Burnley, Leicester and Leeds - who have all been relegated from the Premier League in recent years - are understood to be preparing a legal claim for £100 million each, which is based on the loss of Premier League income.
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In the two seasons that the trio stayed up, Everton finished narrowly outside the relegation zone.
Although the claims are seen as 'wildly optimistic', the Mail allege that, if an independent commission deems Everton to be liable for payment, they could face another deduction if they are unable to pay.
The automatic punishment for a Premier League club for entering administration is nine points, although it is unclear as to whether the Toffees would be placed in that position if the seemingly unlikely event occurs that they are deemed liable for payment.
Following the 10-point deduction being announced on Friday, an Everton club statement said: "Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always maintained the integrity of the process.
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"The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings.
"Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted.
"The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules."
SPORTbible has contacted Everton Football Club for further comment.