- A group of Everton fans braved the cold on Friday night to protest in Paddington
- One picture showed the group holding a flag which had just one word: ‘Corrupt’
- CHRIS SUTTON: Everton players must keep their heads – It’s All Kicking Off
A group of Everton fans braved the cold to protest the club’s 10-point deduction outside the Premier League‘s HQ in London on Friday night.
The Toffees were hit with the division’s biggest points deduction last week after being found to be in breach of league profit and sustainability rules.
Refusing to sit idly by, a group of supporters descended on Paddington, London, on Friday night armed with a flag that had a simple message for the Premier League, reading: ‘Corrupt’.
The protest, which went ahead in conjunction with the Met Police, saw fans come armed with flags and placards – and one fan even looked to have brought his cat to the peaceful protest.
It is just the first in a string of demonstrations planned by Everton fans as league football returns following the international break.
A group of Everton fans headed to the Premier League’s London office armed with a ‘Corrupt’ flag to protest their 10-point deduction for breaching the league’s financial rules
It was a strong turnout as Everton fans came together with placards and flags for the protest
One fan smiles for photographers as he holds an Everton flag out in front of the office entrance
The Premier League are braced for a series of protests from Everton fans against the deduction
Fans have mobilised to organise a plane to fly over the Etihad Stadium during Manchester City’s televised clash with Liverpool. A day later, when Everton host Manchester United, 38,000 ‘Corrupt’ cards have been printed to be handed to fans to hold up in unison.
Also, according to the Times, Everton fans will chant ‘Premier League corrupt as f***’ in the tenth minute of the game.
Ofcom states that broadcasters should avoid televising material that could cause offence to viewers, and as the kick-off time is 4.30pm, there are concerns that families and children will be watching in large numbers.
Therefore, Sky Sports has had an internal meeting about the issue and sources said it takes its responsibility to protect its viewers and will look to mitigate offensive language being heard on air.
‘Like everyone, I was shocked,’ Everton manager Sean Dyche said of the points deduction on Friday. ‘The enormity of it. Disproportionate is a word that has been used by the club.’
‘It doesn’t change the focus of sorting things out on the pitch,’ added Dyche. ‘We were on the right lines for that and this has just given us a push backwards to go forward again. The final league table is the truth of a season.
Fans have planned a series of plans across the weekend to make sure their voices are heard
Fans are seen holding aloft scarves as they came together to show support for their club
Everton were hit with the largest points deduction in the history of the Premier League
‘I told the lads that, for sure, it changes the viewpoint but it doesn’t change what we’re doing.
‘We have to go harder for longer and stronger. It’s been more about refocus than anything. All the senior boys have rallied and said, “Let’s take on the next challenge”.’
He continued: ‘There’s been plenty of (challenges) since I’ve been here so let’s take it on. I don’t know every inch of what went on but I certainly believe in what the club has put forward.
‘The fact is it is disproportionate. It feels unjust. What is done is done, appeal pending, we have to get on with it.
‘The swell of Toffees getting behind the club, the feeling among Evertonians, they feel it’s been unjust.
‘They feel it’s time to stand even stronger than ever. The way they do that is their choice. We travel with numbers. All we can ask is to keep backing us.’
Sean Dyche has admitted he was left ‘shocked’ by the severity of Everton’s 10-point penalty
