Good news for Everton as 10-point penalty reduced to 6

LONDON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Premier League strugglers Everton on Monday had their 10-point sanction deducted to six after their appeal against the penalty was partially accepted.

The immediate effect of the decision is to lift Everton from 17th up to 15th place in the Premier League, with 25 points, five above Luton Town, who occupies the last relegation spot.

The Premier League explained the decision, releasing a statement which reads: "Everton appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted.

"Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six."

The club also issued a statement, saying it was "particularly pleased with the Appeal Board's decision to overturn the original Commission's finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith."

"That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the club on appeal. The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal."

"We understand the Appeal Board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the nine-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League's own rules in the event of insolvency," commented the club. ■