Everton’s 10-point deduction being reduced to six on appeal has not changed Luton Town’s task as they fight to remain in the Premier League, insists Hatters boss Rob Edwards.
Everton were deducted 10 points in mid-November after an independent commission ruled they had breached the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, surpassing the maximum allowed loss for the four-year period ending in 2021-22 by £19.5million.
The Toffees admitted wrongdoing but railed against the “disproportionate” nature of the penalty, launching an appeal.
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The outcome of the appeal hearing was made public on Monday, with Everton’s deduction reduced to six points.
The appeal board considered the original punishment too severe when compared to the automatic nine-point penalty issued in the event of insolvency, also overturning the original commission’s finding that the club “failed to act in utmost good faith”.
That ruling lifts Everton from 17th to 15th in the Premier League table, five points clear of Luton Town in 18th, though they have also been charged with breaching the rules for a second time in the period running to the end of last season.
Club Statement. ????https://t.co/16Xc0qrLtv
— Everton (@Everton) February 26, 2024
Fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest could also face a penalty after joining the Toffees in being charged, but Edwards says Luton cannot afford to rely on deductions to keep them in the league.
Speaking about the decision ahead of Tuesday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester City, Edwards said: “It makes no real difference, we were in the bottom three before and we still are.
“The situation is the same from our point of view. Deductions can’t be the thing that keep us in the league, we’ve got to keep it in our own hands, but it’s good to have a bit of clarity.
“This is a difficult league, it’s been tough from day one. There are more charges but that is completely out of our hands. If we don’t do our job, then it doesn’t matter.
“We’re just four points behind Forest with a game in hand. We’re in the mix. It’s not changed our task.
“Sean Dyche seems to have handled it very, very well. It’s a unique situation, something none of us have had to deal with before. We don’t want to have to rely on other things to stay in the league.”
Ready for two games this week ???? pic.twitter.com/F87BFKIwtT
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 26, 2024
Any further punishments for Everton and Forest are expected to be announced in mid-April. While Edwards believes everyone involved would benefit from a swift resolution, he knows Luton must simply focus on picking up points in the meantime.
“I won’t comment on what could happen in the future, but clarity on a number of points would help everyone,” he said.
“We can’t bank on that or use it, so that’s completely our of our control.
“These are difficult questions because it is very new and I’ve not experienced it before. It’s hypothetical at the moment. We have to focus on ourselves.”
