Everton’s Second Sanction: Points Deduction Reignites Premier League Governance Debate
Just when Everton appeared to have steadied their campaign, another blow has landed. The club has been hit with a second points deduction in the same season, this time losing two points for a further breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The latest sanction throws their survival hopes back into uncertainty and reignites a fierce debate around financial governance in English football.
This is the first time in Premier League history that a club has been docked points twice in one campaign. For Everton, it’s a grim record — and one that threatens to define their season.
The Second Breach Explained
The deduction relates to the financial year ending in June 2023. Everton’s previously punished breach, which cost them ten points (later reduced to six on appeal), was tied to the 2021-22 period. But while the club believed its restructuring and sale strategies would help it meet limits in the following year, the Premier League found that Everton had once again exceeded the allowed loss threshold.
This second ruling slashes the club’s tally even further, plunging them closer to the relegation zone — a zone they thought they had just clawed away from.
The Fallout and Reaction
The reaction has been swift and heated. Everton called the punishment “wholly disproportionate” and announced an intention to appeal. Fans, already battle-worn from financial woes and boardroom turbulence, responded with a mix of outrage and defiance. Survival is still mathematically possible — but now it feels like more than just a footballing challenge. It’s psychological.
Key figures from Everton’s points situation:
10 points originally deducted in November (later reduced to 6)
2 additional points deducted in March
8 total points lost due to PSR sanctions this season
Remaining fixtures against top and bottom-half clubs alike
A Wider Crisis of Confidence
The bigger issue extends beyond Everton. Football insiders are now openly questioning how consistent — or fair — the Premier League’s enforcement of financial rules really is. Why have certain clubs faced severe punishment while others in similar situations remain untouched? Is the league prioritising financial integrity, or is it applying pressure to the wrong targets?
With other clubs under investigation, including some with much larger revenues and legal power, Everton’s case feels like a test balloon for how far the league can push without sparking broader rebellion.
The Path Forward
Everton must now do what they’ve done for much of this turbulent era: survive. Manager Sean Dyche faces the impossible again — keep the players focused, keep the fans united, and keep the club afloat.
The club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is on the horizon. Ownership changes may soon reshape its financial future. But none of that will matter if they can’t maintain Premier League status.
Everton’s second points deduction doesn’t just alter their season. It alters the conversation about how the Premier League handles its rules — and who bears the brunt. Whether the club can stay up is now as much about resilience as results. But one thing’s clear: Everton’s fight is no longer just on the pitch. It’s with the system itself.