4 Premier League Clubs That Have Suffered Points Deductions

As Chelsea Football Club becomes the latest club to be hit with charges by the Football Association, we will take an in depth look at Premier League clubs that have suffered points deductions in the past.

In what was a shocking news, the FA announced on Thursday that Chelsea have been charged with breaking transfer rules regarding the payment of agents and third-party ownership of players.

The FA confirmed that 74 charges have been brought against the London club.

FA’s official ruling reads: “The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC.

“The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 to 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons. Chelsea FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond.”

Chelsea have since reacted to the charges.

Despite claiming their innocence, Enzo Maresca’s side could still be fined and even see their point deducted.

Ahead of what promises to be a fascinating turn of events, let’s take a look at the rare occurrence where Premier League clubs suffered points deductions.

Premier League clubs that have suffered points deductions

Middlesbrough – 1996-97

Topping the list of Premier League clubs that have suffered points deductions is Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough’s three-point deduction was one of the most controversial top-flight punishments at the time after they cancelled their away match against Blackburn in December 1996.

Their claim for missing the match was that they did not have enough players to fulfil the fixture due to a virus that had swept through the whole team.

Three point was deducted from their points and this saw Middlesbrough drop from 14th to 19th in the Premier League, and they were eventually relegated by two points.

Portsmouth – 2009-10

Portsmouth fans during the Barclays Premier League match between Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion at Fratton Park on April 11, 2009 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Wrigley’s)

Portsmouth experienced extreme financial difficulty in the late noughties, which meant they were unable to pay staff members and squad players for months. Before February 2010, the club changed ownership for the third time and entered administration.

Eventually, the Premier League announced that they would be deducted nine points due to their financial ruin. After so much forth and back, nine points were deducted in March, a move that confirmed their relegation to the Championship.

The Premier League said in a statement: “Following the High Court’s decision that Portsmouth FC’s administration is valid the Premier League board convened today to apply the League’s rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency.

“As a result, Portsmouth FC has been deducted nine points with immediate effect. As part of this process the board met with the administrator to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments.”

Premier League clubs that have suffered points deductions

Everton – 2023-24

Everton fans hold up a sign about their point deduction during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

The 2023-24 season saw Everton suffer points deductions following their inability to follow the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

The Toffees were found to have miscalculated their PSR for the 2021/22 season, and were initially hit with a 10-point deduction during the 2023/24 season.

However, following an appeal, the tally was reduced from 10 to six. Just months later, in April 2024, Everton received a further two-point deduction for their financial losses during the 2022/23 season.

Despite the point reduction, Everton stood strong and escaped relegation.

Nottingham Forest – 2023-24

A general view of Nottingham Forest stadium. (Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Lastly on the list of Premier League clubs that have suffered points deductions is Nottingham Forest.

Just like Everton, Nottingham Forest dropped into the relegation zone during the 2023/24 season after receiving a four-point deduction from the Premier League for breaching PSR rules.

The deduction saw the club drop to 18th place, but despite this late blow in the battle for safety, Forest climbed back up the ranks and finished six points clear of relegation, in 17th place.

With Chelsea currently in the spotlight, it’s yet to be seen if the London club will join the list of Premier League clubs to face points deductions.