Everton have had their points deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules reduced to six points from 10 after an appeal, the club said on Monday, though they could yet face another punishment for a separate overspend.
Everton were docked points with immediate effect in November after being found to have breached the league’s rules relating to spending and losses, partly blamed on the rising cost of financing their new ground that is under construction.
“An independent Appeal Board has concluded that the sanction for Everton’s breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs), for the period ending Season 2021/22, will be an immediate six-point deduction,” the Premier League said in a statement.
The original deduction meant Everton dropped from 14th in the standings into the relegation zone with four points. The club filed an appeal against the initial deduction, which they labelled “wholly disproportionate and unjust”.
“Everton can confirm an Appeal Board has concluded that the points deduction be reduced from 10 points to six points, with immediate effect,” a club statement said.
The record sanction was appealed on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction, rather then the breaches and two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board.
Everton admitted to a breach of PSR for the period ending with the 2021-22 season, with their total losses for that period amounting to 124.5 million pounds according to an independent commission.
According to the Premier League’s regulations, clubs are permitted to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($133.33 million) over a three-year period.
The three-person appeal board concluded that the independent commission which imposed the 10-point ban made legal errors on two of them.
It was ruled wrong to punish the club for being “less than frank” over what it told the Premier League about its new stadium debt and also wrong “not to take into account available benchmarks” saying that a six-point sanction was broadly in line with English Football League guidelines.
In dismissing the other grounds for appeal, the panel said that the club’s reduction in transfer spending towards the end of the four-year period under investigation showed only “limited evidence of a more sensible approach.”
Everton recorded four straight wins after their deduction to climb up to 16th, but have been dragged back into the relegation battle following a run of nine league games without a victory. The reduction means they move up to 15th on 25 points, five above the relegation zone.
Football League founder members Everton, who have spent more years in the top flight than any other club, were charged again by the Premier League in January for a separate PSR breach, along with Nottingham Forest.
Both clubs were referred to the chair of the Judicial Panel, the Premier League said, who will appoint an independent commission to determine the appropriate sanction, which may include a further deduction for the Sean Dyche-managed club before the end of the season.
A second points penalty would increase risk of a first relegation since 1951 and add to the uncertainty over the future of the club, who are currently in the midst of protracted takeover talks with U.S. investment fund 777 Partners and also hoping to move to their new stadium ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Last year, Manchester City were referred to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of finance rules since the club were acquired by the Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group in 2008.
No verdict has been reached in that case. Premier League CEO Richard Masters said last month that a date had been set for a hearing. City have denied any wrongdoing.
Clubs in England’s top flight have been docked points before.
Middlesbrough had three points deducted in 1997 when they failed to fulfil a fixture, while Portsmouth received a nine-point penalty in 2010 when the financially-troubled club entered administration.
UAE fast bowler Khuzaima Tanveer has credited the DP World ILT20 with accelerating his rise to international cricket, saying the league gave him the confidence and experience needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.
The 26-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this year, believes competing alongside some of the world’s top cricketers helped prepare him for the demands of international cricket.
“Representing the UAE was a proud moment for me and it’s something every young cricketer dreams about. The DP World ILT20 helped prepare me because you’re constantly competing against high-quality players. It gives you confidence that you belong on the international stage,” he said.
Breakthrough performances
Khuzaima announced himself during DP World ILT20 Season 3 with impressive figures of 4/22 against Sharjah Warriorz.
Since joining the Desert Vipers, he has claimed 24 wickets in 18 matches across two seasons. During the Vipers’ title-winning campaign, he finished with 17 wickets, making him the second-highest UAE wicket-taker in the tournament and third overall. He was also shortlisted for the Blue Belt, awarded to the competition’s best UAE player.
Learning from the world’s best
Khuzaima said one of the league’s biggest advantages is the opportunity to learn from elite players and coaches.
“A lot of the learning happens during training sessions, team meetings and conversations. I was fortunate to share the dressing room with Sam Curran, Naseem Shah and Lockie Ferguson. Even small pieces of advice from players like them help you become a better cricketer.”
He also described interacting with legendary fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram as one of the highlights of his career.
Inspired, not compared
While fans have compared his bowling action to Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, Khuzaima insists he is focused on building his own identity.
“Waqar Younis is a legend of the game. If people see similarities, I take it as a compliment, but my focus is on becoming the best version of myself.”
Eyes on future
Now a UAE international, Khuzaima says wearing the national jersey comes with greater responsibility.
“Once you represent the UAE, people expect more from you and you expect more from yourself. My aim is to keep improving, perform consistently and contribute whenever I get the opportunity.”
He also praised UAE captain Muhammad Waseem for setting an example for local players, saying his performances in the DP World ILT20 have shown that Emirati cricketers can compete with the world’s best.
Looking ahead to DP World ILT20 Season 5, Khuzaima hopes to continue developing his game and make the most of every opportunity.
“Every season brings new challenges and new opportunities to learn. My goal is to keep improving, contribute to my team and continue making the most of the opportunities the DP World ILT20 provides.”
Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
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