Everton could face 12-point deduction over alleged financial breaches

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2023

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The Premier League has reportedly recommended a deduction of up to 12 points from Everton’s current standing due to alleged breaches of financial rules.

In March, the Premier League referred Everton to an independent commission after reviewing the financial records of all top-flight clubs for the 2021-22 season.

While the specific charge has not been revealed, it is thought to be linked to a tax matter concerning loans for Everton’s new Bramley Moore Dock stadium, which is currently under construction.

The disciplinary hearing began last week, with a decision anticipated later in the year.

Now, the Daily Telegraph has reported that the league has asked the independent commission to impose a severe sanction against the Merseyside club.

A deduction of 12 points would result in Everton’s current score dropping to minus five points in the ongoing season’s league table.

According to the league’s profitability and sustainability rules, clubs can sustain losses of up to £105m in three years or potentially face penalties.

However, Everton reported losses of £371.8m in the past three years and faced annual losses for five consecutive years, amounting to over £430m during this time.

There has been no official response from either the club or the Premier League regarding the details of the report.

When the league referred the club to the commission in March, it cited a potential violation of its profitability and sustainability (P&S) regulations during the period leading up to the 2021-22 season.

Everton issued a statement on the day when the referral was confirmed, saying: “The club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and, together with its independent team of experts, is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations.

“Everton is prepared to robustly defend its position to the commission. The club has, over several years, provided information to the Premier League in an open and transparent manner and has consciously chosen to act with the utmost good faith at all times.”

The team is currently subject to a takeover bid by the American private investment company 777 Partners.

Last week, the firm refuted a New York Times report claiming that its bid had stalled due to a failure to provide information to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Meanwhile, the club’s longstanding chairman, Bill Kenwright, died at the age of 78 on Monday night.

UK

Epping council demands government ‘immediately’ close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to ‘restore order’

Published

10 mins ago

July 25, 2025

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Epping council demands government 'immediately' close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to 'restore order'

Epping council has unanimously voted to urge the government to shut a hotel housing asylum seekers after a series of protests.

Epping Forest District Council in Essex passed a motion calling for the Bell Hotel to be “immediately and permanently” closed “for the purposes of asylum processing”.

Several demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Police have arrested 18 people and charged nine in connection with the protests.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and will stand trial in August.

The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has also reportedly urged the home secretary to review the use of the hotel for housing asylum seekers.

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, Roger Hirst said the hotel is unsuitable for housing migrants and is “clearly creating community tension”, the Telegraph reported.

Home Office ‘working to restore order’

The Home Office has vowed to “restore order,” threatening on Friday to make asylum seekers homeless if they refuse a change of accommodation.

It said a new “failure to travel” policy is looking to tackle “non-compliance by asylum seekers” and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it.

Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said.

Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: “We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system.

“This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders.”

Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: “We’ll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system.”

Eight officers injured

Protests outside the Bell Hotel last Thursday began peacefully but escalated into what police described as “scattered incidents of violence,” leaving eight officers injured.

Police are braced for further protests, vowing to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

UK

There were ‘failings’ in care of ex-England cricketer Graham Thorpe in months before he died, coroner says

Published

1 hour ago

July 25, 2025

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There were 'failings' in care of ex-England cricketer Graham Thorpe in months before he died, coroner says

There were “failings” in the care of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe in the months before he died, a coroner has said.

It comes as Coroner Jonathan Stevens recorded a conclusion of suicide at an inquest into his death in August last year.

Thorpe died at a railway station in Surrey.

Mr Stevens read a statement yesterday during the inquest from Mr Thorpe’s GP Joan Munnelly, detailing the cricketer was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018.

Regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side.

He coached England’s batters and had a 17-year career with Surrey.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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UK

Jeff Stewart: Actor who played Reg Hollis in The Bill helps police arrest shoplifter

Published

12 hours ago

July 25, 2025

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Jeff Stewart: Actor who played Reg Hollis in The Bill helps police arrest shoplifter

The actor who played PC Reg Hollis in hit TV series The Bill has been praised by officers after helping them arrest a shoplifter.

Jeff Stewart stepped in when a thief attempted to escape on a bicycle in Southampton on Wednesday.

In a statement, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “The thief, 29-year-old Mohamed Diallo, fell off the bike during his attempts to flee, before officers pounced to make their arrest.

“To their surprise, local TV legend Jeff Stewart, who played PC Hollis for 24 years in The Bill, came to their aid by sitting on the suspect’s legs while officers put him in cuffs.

“In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn’t on The Bill for this week.”

The Bill was broadcast on ITV between 1984 and 2010 and featured the fictional lives of police officers from the Sun Hill police station in east London.

Mr Stewart, who was among the original cast, appeared in more than 1,000 episodes as PC Hollis.

In praising Mr Stewart’s actions, the force said: “Long since retired from Sun Hill station – but he’s still got it.”

Police from the Bargate Neighbourhoods Policing Team were alerted by staff at a Co-op store in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter on Wednesday.

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Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, was subsequently charged with five offences of theft relating to coffee, alcohol and food from the Co-op and two other Sainsbury’s stores on three dates in April and July.

He pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was bailed to be sentenced on August 29.