Only two Premier League sides have ever received a points deduction prior to the league’s announcement regarding Everton on Friday
Shockwaves were sent around the Premier League on Friday as it was announced that Everton would receive a ten-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The Toffees currently sit 14th in the table having accumulated 14 points after 12 games, meaning they would drop down to 19th following a deduction sitting, level on points with bottom-of-the-table Burnley.
All eyes are now on Manchester City’s ongoing FFP investigation. The Citizens were charged earlier this year after allegedly breaching the league’s financial rules over 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
The reigning Premier League champions have vehemently denied the charges with the investigation still ongoing. It remains to be seen what exactly the punishment would be if City were found guilty of breaches, with a points deduction an option.
So with that being said, football.london has taken a look at every other time a Premier League side has received a points deduction prior to Everton’s most recent case.
Middlesbrough
The first ever top-flight team to receive a points deduction during the Premier League era was Middlesbrough during the 1996/97 campaign. The Teesiders’ punishment wasn’t in any way financial-related, though.
In fact, they were disciplined for failing to field a team against Blackburn Rovers after a huge number of players were left out of action due to a virus. ‘Boro were left with just 17 available players, five of which were goalkeepers while five others hadn’t made their debut prior to the game.
They were docked three points, with the fixture ordered to be played at a later date, eventually getting relegated by two points that season.
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Portsmouth
The other only Premier League side to receive a points deduction is Portsmouth, during the 2009/10 campaign. Pompey were docked a total of nine points after debts of £65million saw them enter administration.
Portsmouth were already at the bottom of the table before the punishment, eventually finishing 16 points off safety. They haven’t found their way back to the top-flight since, currently plying their trade in League One.
