Updated Everton have formally lodged their appeal against the decision by the second Premier League Independent Commission to deduct them two more points this season.
Following the ruling by the first Commission to penalise the club with the loss of 10 points last November, later reduced to six on appeal, the Blues were hit with an unprecedented second sanction earlier this month which they will appeal before a fourth independent panel.
Sky Sports News say Everton will restate their desire that half of the deduction, one point, be deferred until next season as part of their argument against being punished twice in the same season.
That appeal hearing is expected to take place early next month. A hard deadline of 24 May is still in place but the Premier League are now pushing to have a verdict in before the final game of the season on 19 May, “for clarity and certainty for all clubs and fans”.
Nottingham Forest, docked four points for their own breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, will have their appeal heard starting next Monday.
The two clubs meet next weekend when, depending on Everton’s result at Chelsea this evening, there could be just one point separating the two clubs in the battle to avoid relegation.