Newcastle United know the can't afford many more slip-ups in the race for Champions League football as the Premier League season approaches it's climax. The title looks as though it's on its way to Liverpool [though Arsenal were handed a surprise points deduction verdict earlier this week](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-warned-extra-sanction-after-31131162)
The Gunners are now facing an uphill battle to capture the Premier League crown this season, lagging behind a dominant Liverpool who, under the stewardship of Arne Slot, are edging towards their inaugural English title under the Dutch head coach, with a comfortable 13-point cushion over the Gunners.
With only 11 fixtures remaining and a game in hand, Mikel Arteta's team has struggled to capitalise on Manchester City's disappointing campaign, watching Liverpool surge ahead in the title race.
However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett called for Liverpool to be given a points deduction after Slot was embroiled in an alleged expletive-laden confrontation with referee Michael Oliver after their stalemate with Everton, resulting in a fine and a touchline ban for the Liverpool manager.
Hackett told Football Insider: "I would like to see referees at the final whistle moving towards the tunnel rather than standing in the middle looking for handshakes and any complimentary comments. This will I feel reduce any tensions that have built up in the game. I hope that the level of fines will receive a more controlled approach by the manager and his assistant.
"If these fines going forward do not have the desired effect then we may see points deductions coming into play. The last time they used that sanction for an on-field mass confrontation was in the game between Manchester United v Arsenal (in the 1990s) where I was the man in the middle."
"It happened a lot and the emotions got the better of me," Slot admitted of his behaviour. "If I could do it differently, If I look back at it, I would love to do it differently. I would do it (differently) next time as well."
There are currently no rules in place regarding points deductions for outbursts at officials, with Arsenal not set for any title lifeline at Liverpool's expense, nor would Newcastle be able to close the gap to the Premier League summit.
But what are the current rules that would warrant a points deduction? Rather than bore you with all the technical terms, ChronicleLive has taken a look at the current rules regarding points deductions and summarised them below.
### What are the current rules that warrant points deductions?
Football clubs across the English pyramid can be deducted points for various reasons, the most prominent of those including financial irregularities, breaking league rules, or misconduct.
**Financial irregularities**
* **Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR)**
One of the most common reasons clubs can be deducted points is for for breaking the Profit and Sustainability Regulations, which limits spending on transfers, wages, and agents' fees. Everton, were deducted 10 points in 2020-21 for exceeding permitted losses, while Nottingham Forest were also given a four points deduction similar rule breaches. Newcastle United would have likely found themselves in a similar position last summer had they not sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.
* **Providing accurate financial information**
Premier league clubs can be also deducted points for failing to provide accurate information about sponsorship deals, player and manager payments, and more. Manchester City's ongoing legal battle with the top flight after they were alleged to have broken 115 rules would likely fall into this bracket.
**Breaking league rules**
* **Administration**: Less common in the top flight with Portsmouth becoming the first Premier League club to enter administration in 2010, clubs can be deducted points for administration issues with Bury, Bolton, Derby County and Wigan some high profile clubs given points deductions in recent seasons.
* **On-pitch incidents**: As Hackett alluded to in his comments, clubs can be deducted points for on-pitch incidents, such as fights, with Arsenal and Manchester United deducted points in 1990 following a brawl.
**Misconduct**
* Clubs can also be given points deductions for of **discrimination, a****ssault** and or **physical contact** or **attempted physical contact** against a match official.