After what transpired on Sky Sports, Ian Herbert sends a ‘extreme’ warning to Everton.

After what happened on Sky Sports ahead of Everton’s match against Newcastle United, Daily Mail columnist Ian Herbert has delivered a “extreme” message to the club.

Supporters in and around Goodison Park have protested the Premier League’s decision to dock Sean Dyche’s side 10 points for a single violation of profit and sustainability regulations.

On the field, Everton’s recent play has lifted them out of the relegation zone, and while Herbert has been impressed by the “extraordinary” Toffees, he has been angered by the broadcasters’ decision not to highlight supporters’ protests.

“Everton’s players have been doing the talking since that points deduction,” he wrote in the Scottish Daily Mail (13 December, page 65), “but the broadcasters seem to be going to great lengths to ensure that the fans aren’t heard.”

“Sky went so far as to send a reporter to broadcast from Wirral, on the other side of the Mersey, before the match against Newcastle United.” It was also difficult to overlook the absence of views of the Gwladys Street end, where protest flags fly, during Amazon Prime’s coverage of Everton’s victory that night.

“Everyone will deny that broadcasters are acting on a Premier League request but it does look that way.”

Not sufficient

Herbert may be correct in his supposition that the Premier League has ordered Amazon Prime and Sky Sports not to show Everton supporters’ demonstrations in recent weeks, but the fans need to be heard.

The punishment meted out to Dyche’s team was seen excessive by nearly everyone in the footballing world, especially given the lack of action taken against Manchester City, and ultimately the supporters are those who suffer the most.

Fans inside Goodison Park were not the ones who overspent on players, but they are the ones who will ultimately suffer the impacts of the point deduction if the Toffees are relegated, and they should be entitled to express their views.

If these protests had been directed at Farhad Moshiri, the broadcaster would have gladly broadcast them. The rules should not be changed simply because the targets of the demonstrations are powerful.

In other Everton news, James Tarkowski has stated that he is “desperate” to win a trophy this season with the Toffees.