- Everton fans vented their opposition to Premier League’s 10-point deduction
- Supporters made their anger known with banners calling officials ‘corrupt’
- CHRIS SUTTON: Everton players must keep their heads – It’s All Kicking Off
Everton fans showed their dismay at the Premier League‘s decision to deduct the Toffees 10 points for breaching financial rules on Sunday as they gathered in numbers outside Goodison Park.
Ahead of the club’s first game since the points deduction was announced against Manchester United, supporters took to the streets to voice their opposition.
Fans congregated near their home stadium with banners and flares before Sunday’s game.
Videos of the crowds show them singing Everton songs, with messages also directed at the Premier League.
A number of Everton fans held up pink cards that featured the Premier League logo and the word ‘corrupt’ beneath it.
Everton fans held a protest against the Premier League’s decision to deduct them 10 points for breaking financial rules
Fans took to the streets surrounding Goodison Park with banners and flares ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester United
Another larger banner included the message: ‘Where there is power, greed and money… There is corruption’.
There was also a significant reaction within Goodison Park ahead of kick-off as fans boo’d the Premier League anthem and then held the pink cards aloft again in the 10th minute of the game.
The points deduction has left Everton 19th in the Premier League table, five points from safety ahead of their game against United.
Toffees’ boss Sean Dyche called the punishment ‘unjust and disproportionate’ on Friday, but insisted it would foster a siege mentality among his squad.
Large groups of supporters gathered to show their fury amid the Premier League’s ruling
He said: ‘Like everyone, I was shocked. 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.
‘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.
‘I told the lads that, for sure, it changes the viewpoint but it doesn’t change what we are doing.
The protests continued inside the ground as the Premier League anthem was booed before the pink cards were held aloft in the 10th minute
Other banners showed the fans’ defiance in the face of the 10-point penalty that has left their team in the relegation zone
‘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”.
‘There have 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.’
It comes as Mayor of Manchester and Everton supporter Andy Burnham called on the Premier League to ‘null and void’ the punishment, suggesting the investigation process has led to a ‘harsh penalty’.
Dyche’s side are currently on a three-match unbeaten run that has boosted hopes of pulling clear of relegation trouble – regardless of whether an appeal against the points deduction is successful.
