Everton boast one of the most passionate and unwavering fanbases in all of England.
Through thick and thin, the Toffees have maintained a vociferous support that has followed them up and down the country. No matter the game and no matter the time or the place, there is guaranteed to be a sellout when the boys in Royal Blue are playing.
However, in recent years that love for the club has truly been tested, with performances on the pitch so difficult to cheer on.
Not to mention the manner in which the Premier League have sought to grind down their spirit, wrangling any joy or stability from their hands with deductions and an inability to conclude 777 Partners’ takeover.
Well, it seems the Fan Advisory Board has finally snapped, having since penned a letter for their own division outlining their countless grievances.
What the Fan Advisory Board have said to the Premier League
Having vocalised their frustrations after the first deduction, which saw ten points stolen from Everton for a PSR breach, it is actually a different case which has now sparked their latest letter.
After all, to compare that sanction with the one handed to Nottingham Forest earlier this week, and the gulf is pitiful and unjust.
Especially given that the four-point deduction administered to the Reds was given despite their breach actually being higher than the Toffees’.
Well, the fan board have implored that the Premier League and their independent commission see sense in their third and final hearing of the season, with Everton on trial again.
‘Consider the implications,’ they beg, before turning more aggressive: ‘We see no evidence of any agreed PL structure or procedure and are now in the bizarre position where some Clubs have been referred to a PL Commission without a clear understanding of how any penalties are assessed.’
‘To punish these fans seems like an unforgivable act of apathy on the part of the PL.’
Then, they start to pick apart the lack of rules or structure: ‘In the absence of any clear guidelines, fans have also been left to their own devices in attempting to understand, analyse and translate what are complex issues. This can only serve to further fuel the lack of trust so many fans now have in the PL, which is overtly demonstrated in games.’
The Premier League’s arrogance knows no bounds
Whilst this letter is well-written and poses some important and undeniable points, the Premier League are unlikely to be moved by it.
After all, the many arguments that Everton used against their first deduction were dismissed with little courtesy for some very real problems that obviously hampered the club.
A loss of sponsorship money due to the Russia-Ukraine war, being forced to sell Richarlison for under market value due to time constraints, COVID-19 losses and incorrectly labelled stadium loan costs included in the reports all could have worked on a more lenient board, but were ultimately dismissed.
Yet Forest saw two points returned for ‘good behaviour’. How is that fair? Who decides that?
Despite how impassioned the fan board’s letter is, the Premier League’s arrogance and unrivalled power at the top of the game will see this kind of media brushed aside.
Thankfully, an independent regulator looms to put Richard Masters in his place at last.