Everton’s appeal against 10-point deduction will be heard THIS WEEK after being sanctioned for breaching the Premier League’s spending rules last November

Everton’s appeal against a 10-point penalty imposed for breaches of Premier League financial rules is being heard this week.

The club were sanctioned by an independent commission in November after being found to have exceeded permitted losses under the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the three seasons up to 2021-22, but immediately indicated they would appeal.

It is understood the appeal hearing before an independent commission will run until the end of the week, with the expectation that the outcome of the appeal is known before the end of February.

The outcome of the appeal could also have a direct impact on a second PSR complaint the club are facing which was laid on January 15. That complaint covers an assessment period that ends with the 2022-23 season.

Under a new expedited process to deal with PSR breaches which was agreed by top-flight clubs last summer, an independent commission hearing into the second PSR complaint must conclude no later than 12 weeks after the complaint was laid, which would be early April.

Sean Dyche’s side were hit with the sanctions in November for breaching spending rules – before a second charge arrived in January 

Everton described the initial 10-point penalty as ‘wholly disproportionate’.

The independent commission’s written reasons stated the club’s overspend ‘was the result of Everton irresponsibly taking a chance that things would turn out positively’. 

The PSR breach was described as ‘serious’ and warranting ‘a significant penalty’.

Nottingham Forest were also referred to an independent commission over a PSR breach on January 15.

Everton next face a trip to Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday night as they continue their uphill relegation battle after being initially docked ten points – with some superb early results seeing them climb up the table despite their predicament. 

However poor form has since crept in – with the Toffees now 17th and one point ahead of 18th placed Luton Town.