Everton expect any points deduction for a second breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules to be less than six points, according to Paul Joyce.

Writing on The Times website (5 April), the reliable journalist reports that the Toffees have argued their case to the independent panel about their second charge.

The club argued that double jeopardy could be in play after suffering a six-point deduction earlier this season for charges relating to last season, while Nottingham Forest received a four-point deduction for charges this season.

“The club are due to discover next week what punishment it will receive for a second breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR),” he wrote.

“They have already been docked six points (reduced from ten on appeal) for breaking spending rules in 2021-22 and there is an expectation at Everton that another sanction for 2022-23 will be lower, after arguing that double jeopardy should apply.”

Everton must hope for mercy from independent panel

Receiving a double punishment for the same offences in the same season would surely be seen as unfair by anyone with common sense.

Obviously, they are two separate charges, but they are linked in the same way and making Everton a guinea pig for their lack of governance on their own league is something the Premier League shouldn’t be doing.