Everton are facing the prospect of a second Premier League points deduction as early as next month.
Everton were penalised last month for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, receiving the heaviest points punishment in Premier League history.
It was determined that Everton's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) calculation for the period ending 2021-22 resulted in a loss of £124.5 million, which exceeded the threshold of £105 million.
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An independent commission concluded that an immediate sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed on the Merseyside club, which dropped them from 14th in the Premier League table to 19th.
Everton have since appealed the decision, with the outcome expected in the new year.
However, the Goodison Park club is now facing the prospect of a further points deduction.
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The Daily Mail claim the Premier League have indicated to Everton's prospective buyers, American private equity firm 777Partners, that their proposed takeover of the club will not be approved before the end of the year.
It has raised fears that the club may be placed into administration next month.
777Partners has loaned Everton over £100million for operating costs since agreeing a deal to buy the club in September.
However, it is not prepared to keep funding the club after the new year, setting a deadline for the deal to be approved.
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The Daily Mail journalist Matt Hughes claims the Premier League is "still some way from completing due diligence on their proposed takeover" due to the complexity of 777Partners' financial and corporate structure.
Without 777’s funding, Everton are at risk of being put into administration, which could result in a further nine-point penalty from the Premier League.
If that punishment were to occur right now, it would leave Everton on just four points – 10 adrift of safety.
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Everton sources have told the Daily Mail they remain hopeful the takeover will go through in time to meet the deadline.
The Toffees have reacted well to their initial points deduction and have won their last three matches against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea.
If they had not received the 10-point deduction, Sean Dyche's side would currently be 10th in the table.
Topics: Everton, Premier League, FFP, Football