Points deductions are an infrequent happening in the Premier League, yet three teams have faced this severe penalty since the league’s establishment in 1992.
Everton became the most recent team to experience such a consequence when they were discovered to have reported excessive losses, marking the first instance of a team violating the division’s Financial Fair Play rules.
Let’s reflect on the history of points deductions in the Premier League.
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Middlesbrough – 3 points (January 1997)
Middlesbrough faced the Premier League’s inaugural points deduction in January 1997. The league officials penalized them with a three-point deduction after Boro canceled a fixture against Blackburn Rovers in December without proper authorization. Manager Bryan Robson claimed a shortage of 23 players due to illness or injury, preventing them from naming a full squad. Despite asserting they had received assurances to postpone the match, Boro failed to provide evidence, resulting in a £50,000 fine and a three-point deduction. Their court appeal was unsuccessful, and the points deduction contributed to Boro’s relegation, finishing 19th in the table, two points shy of safety.
Portsmouth – 9 points (March 2010)
In March 2010, Portsmouth faced a nine-point deduction after entering administration. Financial troubles had loomed since the 2008/09 season due to significant debts from reckless transfer dealings. A proposed takeover by Saudi Arabian businessman Ali Al-Faraj failed to resolve the financial crisis. Portsmouth struggled to pay wages from December 2009 to February 2010 and received a winding-up order over unpaid taxes. The automatic nine-point deduction left them at the bottom of the table, contributing to their eventual relegation.
Everton – 10 points (November 2023)
Burnley and Leeds United requested an investigation into Everton’s finances in May 2022, citing losses of £371.8m over the previous three years. The investigation, opened in March 2023, resulted in a 10-point deduction for Everton in November. The tension arose during the 2021/22 relegation battle, with Everton and Leeds narrowly avoiding demotion.
West Ham United – No Points Deduction (2007)
While not a points deduction, West Ham United faced a significant controversy in 2007. The club was found to have breached regulations related to third-party ownership in the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Although the players were technically ineligible for the Premier League, no points deduction occurred. Instead, West Ham received a £5.5m fine. Despite the penalty, they avoided relegation by three points, with Tevez playing a crucial role in securing their safety. Sheffield United, relegated that year, pursued legal action against West Ham, seeking financial compensation. The case concluded in 2009, with West Ham agreeing to a £20m settlement with Sheffield United.