Everton lodges appeal against 2

LONDON (AP) — Everton has lodged an appeal against its two-point deduction for breaking financial rules, and the English Premier League wants a verdict to be reached before the last round.

The relegation-threatened club was docked two points last week for overspending in a three-year spell up to the end of the 2022-23 season. It was a second deduction this season, with Everton having already had six points removed — reduced from 10 following an appeal — for breaching spending limits from 2019-20 to the 2021-22 season.

Nottingham Forest, which is just above the relegation zone like Everton, has also been punished for the same offense and announced it has appealed.

Forest’s hearing against a four-point sanction has reportedly been scheduled for next week and the Premier League has said it will do all it can to ensure Everton’s appeal outcome in advance of May 19 — the final day of the season — “for clarity and certainty for all clubs and fans.”