Sheffield United could have become the third Premier League side to be axed points in 2023-24, but for their punishment to be postponed until transfer back to the Championship.

The English Football League (EFL) hit Sheffield United with a two-point deduction, with a further two-point deduction that will take effect at the end of said season.

As Chelsea reportedly face the threat of a “more severe” points deduction than Everton and Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City have been warned they could face "expulsion" from the English top flight, GOAL takes a look at the worst punishments in English football...

Leeds United | 15 points | 2007-08

Leeds United were forced to begin their 2007-08 League One campaign with -15 points as a result of failing to comply with the EFL's rules on insolvency.

The club's appeal didn't bear any fruit either, with a majority voting against a reduction of the imposed penalty on the Whites.

Incredibly, however, Leeds would go on to survive the season in the Football League and end up losing the play-off final.

Bournemouth | 17 points | 2008-09

A little worse than Leeds, on account of leaving administration without a Company Voluntary Agreement, Bournemouth were 17 points shy of zero at the beginning of their run in the 2008-09 League Two season.

Besides the 10-point deduction from the previous season in League One which resulted in their demotion, the club had to accept the punishment and agree not to appeal in order to play in League Two.

However, then Cherries manager Eddie Howe took over the reins from Jimmy Quinn midway through the season and successfully lived up to the challenge - helping the side finish 21st on the table, nine points clear of the drop zone.

Rotherham United | 17 points | 2008-09

Just like Bournemouth, Rotherham United also accepted their fate in the form of a 17-point deduction after being unable to satisfy the normal conditions of Football League rules for exiting administration.

It was in the same season and in the same competition - the 2008-09 League Two campaign - and the Millers incredibly finished 14th on the table with 58 points on the board.

Derby County | 21 points | 2021-22

in the most recent case, before Everton, a 21-point deduction for Wayne Rooney's Derby County in 2021 was a hard pill to swallow.

The Rams entered administration and were deducted 12 points by the EFL at the start of the 2021-22 Championship season, with another nine points docked by November on account of financial irregularities.

Despite throwing in a tough fight, the team would finish 23 points short of safety and were relegated to League One.

Luton Town | 30 points | 2008-09

To date, the unwanted record of the worst punishment in English football history is held by Luton Town with their 30-point deduction.

It was indeed in the horrid 2008-09 League Two season for not just three (apart from Bournemouth and Rotherham) but four sides, as Darlington Football Club also faced a 10-point sanction after going into administration.

Coming back to Luton, after the EFL stripped the club of 10 points for making illegal payments to agents, the Hatters had to accept a further 20-point deduction for leaving administration without a Company Voluntary Agreement in order to be allowed in the League.

So in all, the 30-point deduction saw Luton fall out of the EFL for the first time ever as they finished the season rock bottom.