Soccer

Previous Premier League points deductions as Everton sanctioned for rule breach

Former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant saw his side relegated after going into administration (Chris Ison/PA)
Former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant saw his side relegated after going into administration (Chris Ison/PA)

Everton have been deducted 10 points with immediate affect after being found to have breached Premier League financial rules.

The Toffees have confirmed their intention to appeal against the sanction, which relates to the period ending in the 2021-22 season.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at the two other Premier League clubs to be handed a points deduction.

Portsmouth (March 2010)

Former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant
Former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant saw his side relegated after going into administration (Chris Ison/PA)

Portsmouth were deducted nine points in 2010 after the south-coast club went into administration.

The sanction all but rubber-stamped Pompey’s relegation, as they were left 17 points from safety with nine league games remaining.

Despite the off-field issues, with the club reportedly having debts of £65million, Avram Grant took Portsmouth to the FA Cup final that season, where they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea before facing up to life in the Championship.

Middlesbrough (January 1997)

Former Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson at a press conference
Former Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson was left with only 17 players available ahead of a game against Blackburn (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Middlesbrough were given a three-point deduction after postponing a Premier League match at short notice for not having enough fit players to put out a team.

Ahead of the game against Blackburn at Ewood Park, scheduled for Saturday, December 21 1996, Bryan Robson’s already injury-hit squad was further depleted by a virus.

On the Friday morning, Boro were left with only 17 players available – three of them being goalkeepers while five were without a first-team appearance for the club, and so informed the Premier League they would have to call off the game.

Boro were eventually ordered to appear before a Premier League commission, which ruled a three-point deduction would be imposed and the Blackburn match to be replayed.

Robson’s side went on to reach the finals of both the League Cup and FA Cup, losing both, but were relegated from the Premier League by two points.