Shockwaves were sent across the Premier League on Friday as it was announced that Everton will receive a ten-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The Toffees are currently 14th in the table having collected 14 points from 12 games, meaning they would drop to 19th after a relegation spot, level on points with bottom-of-the-table Burnley.
All eyes are now on Manchester City’s ongoing FFP investigation. The Citizens were indicted earlier this year for allegedly violating the league’s financial rules more than 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
The reigning Premier League champions have vehemently denied the allegations, while the investigation continues. It remains to be seen exactly what the punishment would be if City are found guilty of infringements, with the possibility of points being deducted.
So with that being said, soccer.london he has taken a look at every time a Premier League team has received a points deduction prior to the most recent case of Everton.
Middlesbrough
The first top flight team to receive a points deduction during the Premier League season was Middlesbrough during the 1996/97 season. However, the Teesiders’ punishment had nothing to do with finances.
In fact, they were penalized for not being able to field a team against Blackburn Rovers after a huge number of players were sidelined with a virus. “Boro were left with just 17 players available, five of which were goalkeepers while another five had not made their debut before the game.
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They were anchored by three points, with the game to be played later, and were eventually relegated by two points that season.
Portsmouth
The only other Premier League team to have points deducted is Portsmouth, during the 2009/10 season. Pompey anchored a total of nine points after debts of £65m saw them go into administration.
Portsmouth were already bottom of the table before the suspension, eventually finishing 16 points off safety. Since then, they have not found their way back to the top flight, currently plying their trade in League One.
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