Everton have been hit with a new two-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
The Toffees were previously docked an unprecedented 10 points for a prior financial breach back in November - the biggest such punishment in Premier League history - before seeing their penalty reduced to six on appeal.
Everton's original breach related to the three-year accounting period for the 2021-22 campaign, but in January, the club were charged with breaking rules for the identical period ending in the 2022-23 season.
At the end of last month, the Toffees announced a huge loss of £89.1m for the 2022-23 year, taking their total debt to over £330m after six consecutive seasons without a financial profit.
Owing to their latest deduction, Everton - who ended the last gameweek in 15th place thanks to a 1-0 win over Burnley - have now dropped below Brentford into 16th spot with 27 points from 31 games this season.
Everton confirm intention to appeal decision
Sean Dyche's side are now just two points better off than relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in 17th and Luton Town below the dotted line in 18th, although they have a game in hand on both clubs.
The two-point penalty was imposed by an independent commission, and in a statement, Everton confirmed that they planned to appeal the punishment and expressed 'extreme concern' at the "inconsistency" of different independent panels regarding points deductions.
"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," a club statement read.
"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."
While Everton plan to appeal the independent commission's decision, the Premier League can also choose to request a re-examination, which could lead to the Toffees being handed a more severe punishment.
As well as the Merseyside club, who have attributed their soaring debt to "significant investment" in their new stadium, Forest were deducted four points for PSR breaches in March, which the Tricky Trees are also appealing.
Everton, who are just one of six teams to have played in every Premier League season since the competition's inception in 1992, are back in action away to Chelsea on April 15 before a crucial home contest with Forest six days later.
