After so many years of seemingly having no one to fight on their behalf in the media, it feels refreshing to see someone as high-profile as Andy Burnham stepping up and assuming that role for Everton.
After all, the injustice felt is huge, and it could be argued that many more should be using their platform to combat such a landmark punishment.
On Friday the 17th of November, it was reported that the Premier League’s independent commission had reached its verdict regarding the Toffees’ alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules. It was noted that, following a mere £19m overspend, the club would be docked a colossal ten points.
It sparked mass outrage, mainly from the blue half of Merseyside, who argued that there was no precedent for such a severe sanction.
Well, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is seemingly leading the charge to see the club’s appeal successful, having shared his opinion in numerous forums now.
However, he has now revealed that one key interview was actually silenced, with Sky Sports opting against airing a chat in which he called for the punishment to be dropped.
‘I don’t know why it wasn’t broadcast and I’d very much like an explanation,’ he told The Daily Mail. ‘As a former Cabinet Minister, I don’t expect third parties to decide what I can and cannot say.
‘There seems to be a wider picture here with views expressed by Evertonians at the game being silenced too. I find all this very troubling. They’ve have denied us our points. It surely can’t be right to deny Evertonians our voice as well?’
How did Everton protest the points deduction?
Having set about to make their feelings on the deduction known, the Everton faithful had planned quite the protest for last Sunday’s home clash with Manchester United.
Given the game was televised, it felt like the perfect platform to showcase their widespread displeasure. As such, around 50,000 bright pink cards were printed all with the same message: ‘corrupt’.
Administered around the ground, these signs were held aloft on two occasions, turning the old lady into a sea of pink. And yet, Sky Sports gave it little coverage.
Not only that, but the numerous large banners which adorned the Gwladys Street end saw little mention too, many of which again detailed frustrations over the Premier League’s decision.
It seems that Sky Sports and the division have some kind of unspoken plan to silence Everton on this matter, with the broadcaster seemingly doing the same with Burnham too.
However, this is a fanbase not to take injustice lying down, and the battle will wage on until they get what they feel they are owed.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
