Sports
Just in: Everton heaves sigh of relief as league penalties slashed from 10points to 6
Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaking Premier League profitability and sustainability rules has been reduced to six points after an appeal.
In November 2023, Everton faced relegation due to financial mismanagement, receiving a penalty that initially dropped them into the relegation zone. However, they successfully appealed the ruling, proving it wrong.
Everton have regained four points, moving them up to 15th in the Premier League table and securing a five-point lead over the relegation zone.
However, they still face another Financial Fair Play charge along with fellow top-flight club Nottingham Forest.
A Premier League statement read: “An independent appeal board has concluded that the sanction for Everton FC’s breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs), for the period ending Season 2021/22, will be an immediate six-point deduction. This follows the club’s appeal of an independent commission’s decision in November 2023 to impose a 10-point deduction for the club’s breach of the PSRs.
“The appeal was heard over three days earlier this month, by an appeal board comprising Sir Gary Hickinbottom (Chair), Daniel Alexander KC and Katherine Apps KC. Everton FC appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted.
Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six. This revised sanction has immediate effect and the Premier League table will be updated today to reflect this.”
Everton added in a statement of their own: “Everton can confirm an Appeal Board has concluded that the points deduction imposed by an independent Premier League Commission in November be reduced from 10 points to six points, with immediate effect. While the club is still digesting the appeal board’s decision, we are satisfied our appeal has resulted in a reduction in the points sanction.
“We understand the appeal board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the Commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the 9-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League’s own rules in the event of insolvency.
“The club is also particularly pleased with the Appeal Board’s decision to overturn the original commission’s finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith. That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the club on appeal. The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal.
“Notwithstanding the appeal board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023.
“The club is still considering the wider implications of the decision and will make no further comment at this time other than to place on record its thanks to our Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups throughout this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing support and patience.”
In January, Everton faced another Premier League charge due to sustaining losses beyond permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending in the 2022-23 season. Further action may be taken against them.
“Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City are awaiting their fate after being hit with 115 historical charges related to Financial Fair Play breaches.
UEFA have demoted FA Cup champions Crystal Palace to the Conference League, with Nottingham Forest to take their Europa League slot.
According to UEFA, Palace were sanctioned after breaching its rules on multi-club ownership.
The rule states that clubs with the same owner are barred from competing in the same UEFA competition if an individual or ownership group is considered to have a decisive influence over more than one of those teams.
Nottingham Forest are expected to replace them in the tournament, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport have yet to decide.
John Textor, Crystal Palace’s largest shareholder and the owner of Lyon. had till March 1 to resolve the multi-club ownership issues.
However, Textor recently agreed a deal to sell his Palace shares to the US billionaire Woody Johnson, but the move has not been completed and was deemed to have come too late.
Lyon were also expected to face similar sanctions but won their appeal against relegation to Ligue 2 this week, clearing them to take their place in the tournament.
The Crystal Palace officials have revealed that they will appeal the demotion at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Despite ongoing speculation, Manchester United have not made any concrete move to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, as uncertainty continues to surround his future at Napoli.
Osimhen is reportedly eager to leave the Serie A club permanently this summer, having made it clear that he is unwilling to play under new head coach Antonio Conte.
Although Napoli are keen to retain the 26-year-old forward — especially following his impressive loan spell at Galatasaray — the player is determined to return to the Turkish club on a permanent basis. Reports suggest Galatasaray are ready to offer Osimhen a lucrative deal worth around €16 million per season, a major factor given the lack of offers from top European clubs so far.
Manchester United have long been linked with Osimhen as they continue their search for a prolific striker to resolve their recent goal-scoring struggles. However, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on his YouTube channel that United have not submitted any offer for Osimhen — largely due to his high wage demands.
“Many are asking if Manchester United might step in to hijack the deal,” Romano said. “I’m not aware of any move from United — not just because of the €75 million price tag, but mainly due to salary concerns.
“Osimhen earns €12 million net per year at Napoli, and Galatasaray are willing to go up to €16 million. That kind of salary is far beyond Manchester United’s current wage structure.”
Romano emphasized that salary has been a consistent issue preventing Premier League clubs from pursuing the striker, both last summer and now.
Napoli have reportedly rejected Galatasaray’s bid for Osimhen, leaving the player’s next move unclear just weeks before the new season begins. The club has also instructed him to report for pre-season training — but as of the time of writing, Osimhen has yet to do so.
Chinwendu Ihezuo’s late goal sealed a second consecutive win for the Super Falcons at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Thursday.
With the win, the Falcons now have six points, which guarantees the team a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Coach Justin Madugu stuck with the same starting eleven against Tunisia. But after a difficult first half with no breakthrough, he introduced Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo to inject fresh energy.
The substitutions eventually paid off as the Mares’ resistance was broken late in the game.
Ihezuo ensured that her introduction into the game counted in the 88th minute, latching onto a loose ball in the opponent’s box to give Nigeria the maximum points.
The late strike against Botswana is Ihezuo’s second goal in the tournament, following her strike in the 3-0 win against Tunisia in Nigeria’s first match.
Both Okoronkwo and Ashleigh Plumptre also had a chance in the second half, but were denied by the Botswana keeper.
Nigeria will play their last match in the group against Algeria on Sunday.
After official visits to Saint Lucia, Brazil, Tinubu is expected to arrive Nigeria tonight
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