A Premier League team has officially been docked more points from this season's tally.
It has been confirmed that Merseyside team Everton have been docked a further two points for breaches of the league's Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
In a statement released on its website, the club said an official appeal is being prepared following the Premier League's latest ruling.
"In January 2024, Everton were charged by the Premier League for breaching the permitted Profit and Sustainability thresholds for the assessment period ending 2022/23," the statement reads.
"The matter was referred to a Premier League Commission, which has today announced Everton will receive an immediate two-point deduction. While the Club's position has been that no further sanction was appropriate, the Club is pleased to see that the Commission has given credit to the majority of the issues raised by the Club, including the concept of double punishment, the significant mitigating circumstances facing the Club due to the war in Ukraine, and the high level of co-operation and early admission of the Club's breach.
"Everton remains committed to working collaboratively with the League on all matters relating to PSR but is extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied.
"The Club would like to place on record its thanks to the Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups for their submissions during this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing patience and unstinting support.
"The Club and its legal representatives have begun the preparations to appeal the Commission's decision. No further comment will be made at this time."
The Toffees were deducted 10 points – a Premier League first – earlier this year until an appeal saw that ruling drop to six points.
Everton have now dropped to 16th on the table, only two points above the relegation zone.
