Can Everton be deducted points again this season and how many could they lose now? Toffees facing another hammer blow

Everton's season has gone from bad to worse after they were sanctioned for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules once again.

The Toffees have already been handed a ten-point deduction this season and now face a bigger battle in their fight to avoid relegation.

Sean Dyche's men are only above the bottom three by a single point, with any further reduction dropping them into the danger zone.

Can Everton be deducted points again?

Unfortunately for Everton, the club can indeed be docked points this season.

The Merseyside outfit were deducted ten points in November for a £19.5m overspend in 2021/22 - with their second charge relating to their accounts for 2022/23.

Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) state that clubs can only lose a maximum of £105m over a three-year cycle, or £35million-a-season.

In response to being referred to an independent commission, an Everton statement read: “Everton Football Club acknowledges the Premier League’s decision to refer a breach of Profit & Sustainability rules (PSR) for the assessment period ending with the 2022/23 season to an independent Premier League commission.

“This relates to a period which covers seasons 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23. It therefore includes financial periods (2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22) for which the club has already received a ten-point sanction. The club is currently appealing that sanction.

“The Premier League does not have guidelines which prevent a club being sanctioned for alleged breaches in financial periods which have already been subject to punishment, unlike other governing bodies, including the EFL. As a result – and because of the Premier League’s new commitment to deal with such matters 'in-season' – the club is in a position where it has had no option but to submit a PSR calculation which remains subject to change, pending the outcome of the appeal.

“The club must now defend another Premier League complaint which includes the very same financial periods for which it has already been sanctioned, before that appeal has even been heard. The club takes the view that this results from a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules.

“Everton can assure its fans that it will continue to defend its position during the ongoing appeal and, should it be required to do so, at any future commission – and that the impact on supporters will be reflected as part of that process.”

How many points could Everton lose now?

It is yet to be confirmed how many points the club will be deducted or even if they will face a sporting penalty at all.

Everton are currently in the process of appealing their initial ten-point reduction, and the outcome of that will hold major weight when deciding the latest charge.

A date for their appeal has not been confirmed, but talkSPORT understands it will be at some point near the end of February.