Everton launch appeal against 10-point deduction

Everton have submitted a formal appeal to the Premier League against their 10-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability regulations.

The Toffees, who now sit 19th on four points, were sanctioned by an independent commission last month and were given 14 days to launch an appeal.

A statement said: "Everton Football Club has today lodged with the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel its appeal of the decision by a Premier League commission to impose a 10-point deduction on the club. 

"An appeal board will now be appointed to hear the case."

Everton supporters staged a large-scale protest before and during last Sunday's 3-0 to Manchester United, with fans holding banners calling the Premier League "corrupt".

The defeat leaves the Merseysiders five points adrift of 17th-placed Luton in the top flight.

Manager Sean Dyche has urged his players to ignore the noise around matters off the field and focus on picking up the necessary points to survive.

Ahead of facing Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, Dyche, 52, said: "The recent facts on what's happened are facts at this time.

"We have to park that and move forwards. We're not going to start worrying about ifs, buts and maybes. 

"The 10 points are currently not there, so we have to see through the rest of it and crack on.

"When I got here, we had to win more games. That was quite obvious and that doesn't change — regardless of all the ups and downs and what goes on.

"[Winning games] has to be the focus. It always was and it always will be."