FANS have been left baffled after the Premier League released a rare statement in response to Sheffield United's relegation.

The Blades' long-anticipated relegation was finally confirmed by a 5-1 defeat to Newcastle.

They are now ten points off 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with just three games left to play.

But the Premier League responded with an unusual statement regarding Sheffield United's position.

It read: "Following their defeat to Newcastle, Sheffield Utd are relegated pending Everton and Nott'm Forest's points-deduction appeals."

One fan reacted to the statement saying: "Speculate with point deduction is sad af."

Another added: "Pending what now?"

A third wrote: "Weird phrasing. What on earth do they mean?"

And another commented: "Are you implying there is a possibility you may take more points, pending this appeal.

"What exactly are you implying here. Sheff Utd can not get near Everton. What is it, you on the wind up or what."

Forest appealed against a four-point deduction in March in hope of winning some points back.

But in doing so they have risked their punishment being increased.

Premier League rules state that an Appeal Board can "vary any penalty imposed or order made at first instance".

Meanwhile Everton were deducted an initial 10 points, later reduced to six upon appeal, for breaching financial rules by £19.5million.