The Toffees are set to appeal the verdict handed down by the Premier League, which is the largest points-related sanction issued in the history of English football’s top flight.
Everton’s ten-point deduction plunges the Merseyside club into the bottom three, joint on four points with basement club Burnley after what has been a relatively promising start to the season for Dyche’s men.
The decision mirrors Leeds United’s ten-point deduction in 2005/06 which was brought by the Football League for the club entering administration. It was followed months later, with the team by then in League One, by a separate 15-point deduction for failing to exit administration correctly.
Everton’s punishment is not quite as severe as the 30-point deduction handed to Luton Town in 2008/09 which caused the Hatters to drop out of the Football League, nor is it as many as the 21 points Derby County were docked in 2021/22 for financial difficulties. However, the ten-point decision is the largest deduction issued to a Premier League club. Only two other sides have been docked points whilst competing in England’s top flight: Middlesbrough – 3 points in 1996/1997 for failing to fulfil a fixture – and Portsmouth – 9 points for entering administration in 2009/10.
Here is every points deduction in the English league system since the beginning of 2013/14 compared to the new sanction faced by Everton.
7. Birmingham City - 9 points
The Blues began the 2018/19 season under transfer restrictions imposed by the EFL for breaches of their Profitability and Sustainability Regulations, and finished it in 17th after a nine-point deduction was also imposed. Photo: Harry Trump
8. Wigan Athletic - 8 points
In May this year, Wigan Athletic were deducted four points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2022–23 season, which was applied to their starting total in League One this term. Another four-point deduction was applied a week after the initial sanction, after the club's owners missed a deadline to deposit an amount equalling 125% of its monthly wage bill. Photo: Pete Norton
9. Sheffield Wednesday - 6 points
Wednesday received a 12-point deduction for breaching the EFL's profitability and sustainability rules for the three season reporting period ending 2017–18. The penalty took effect in the 2020/21 campaign and saw the Sheffield club relegated as a result. Photo: Michael Regan
10. Reading - 6 points
Last season, Reading failed to satisfy a business plan agreed after a historical breach of the EFL’s profit and sustainability limits. They consequently received a six-point deduction. Photo: Dan Istitene
11. Reading - 6 points
During the season prior - 2021/22 - Reading were also hit with a six-point deduction for profitability and sustainability breaches. Photo: Ryan Pierse
12. Reading - 4 points
This season is the third in succession that Reading have received a points deduction from the EFL. This time they were charged with failure to pay their players on time and began the League One campaign on minus four points. Photo: Pete Norton