Everton have had their points reduction for breaking the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations reduced.
The Toffees were referred to an independent commission for alleged breaches relating to the 2021-22 season and initially deducted ten points.
However, the latest ruling means Everton will see that deduction reduced to six points, with the club moving to 25 points and 15th in the Premier League.
Everton labelled the initial 10 point deduction — the biggest in the competition’s history and first relating to financial fair play rules — as “wholly disproportionate and unjust”.
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The club added at the time: "Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted."
The Premier League claim Everton admitted during a five-day hearing that they were in breach of the rules.
Moreover, Everton are facing another potential points deduction after they were charged with breaching the rules for a second time in January along with Nottingham Forest.
Only three clubs have previously been docked points in Premier League history.
Middlesbrough were deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn Rovers in 1996/97.
In March 2010, Portsmouth were stripped of nine points after entering administration.
Tottenham were also handed a 12 point deduction before the 1994/95 season for financial irregularities committed several seasons prior. However that punishment was ultimately revoked.
Premier League teams can make a loss of no more than £105million across the previous three seasons.
Clubs are only able to lose £15million of their own money over those three years. That means club's can only lose £15million on outgoings such as transfer fees and player wages compared to their income from TV payments, season tickets, player sales and so on.
The other £90million of any £105million must be guaranteed by the club's owners buying up shares, known as 'secure funding'.
Topics: Everton, Premier League
Chris Byfield