It's a really tough time to be an Everton supporter right now.
News that the club had been docked 10 points by the Premier League for a breach of their profit and sustainability rules has rocked the Merseysiders, with that deduction imposed immediately, sending the Toffees to second bottom in the table.
The Premier League acted in March to refer Everton to an independent commission, which made a decision on the case following a five-day hearing in October, confirming the 10-point deduction on November 17 — something that the club says it intends to appeal.
The situation will rumble on, especially with similar cases regarding Manchester City and Chelsea. Indeed, Everton themselves said they will be watching closely to see what action, if any, the Premier League asks to be taken against clubs who are accused of similar wrongdoing.
The anger towards the league will be made clear when top-flight football in England returns this weekend following the latest international break. Everton fans intend to stage protests to make their feelings plain.
The Sporting News explains the Everton response to their charge, and the planned protests for this coming matchday, as manager Sean Dyche continues to fight fires on the pitch.
MORE: Why Everton were deducted 10 points: Premier League charge explained
Why are Everton fans protesting? Plans at Man United game
Interim Everton chief executive Colin Chong released a statement soon after the points deduction was announced. Part of that statement was a message of unity to the club's fans. It said: "The club, our players and staff and our fans will stick together in the face of what the club believes to be an unprecedented and disproportionate sanction."
That statement has mobilised supporters, with the fan group The 1878s encouraging fans to express their discontent with displays of flags, banners and placards during Sunday's home game against Manchester United. The group have raised significant funds to put into a protest this weekend.
MORE: The Sporting News is LIVE at Goodison Park covering Everton vs. Man United here
The 1878s are are believed to be handing protest cards to every single Everton fan in the stadium for the Man United game. It's expected fans in Goodison Park will lift them up on two occasions — when the two teams line up on the pitch before kickoff as the Premier League anthem is played, and in the 10th minute of the game — to reflect the 10-point deduction Everton received.
The cards will be available to pick up from volunteers stationed around the stadium before kickoff at 4.30 p.m. local time (11.30 a.m. ET).
Prior to kickoff, thousands of fans marched outside Goodison Park to show their frustrations with banners taking aim at the Premier League.
Inside the ground, fans booed and jeered the Premier League music when teams were lining up for handshakes and then a clear sea of red cards could be seen from fans raising them high above their heads in the stands.
More Everton protests: Man City vs. Liverpool fly over
Everton fan groups also organised a protest to take place at another Premier League game this weekend: namely, the Saturday clash between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Supporters paid to have a plane fly over Man City's ground trailing a protest banner since it will be dark by the time Everton play their own match on Sunday.
It read: "Premier League = corrupt #UTFT #EFC"
A statement from The 1878s said: "We have had a lot of requests asking for a plane to be flown over Goodison on Sunday, with a message to the Premier League.
"Due to our kickoff time, it will be dark. So instead, a plane will fly over the Etihad on Saturday for Manchester City versus Liverpool which will be watched by millions around the world."
The match aired live on Sky Sports, but they neither acknowledged nor featured the plane on camera.
It seems especially relevant that Everton's protest plane will be seen over Manchester City's ground, given City are facing 115 charges from the Premier League over alleged breaches of its financial regulations. No verdict has yet been reached in City's case, but many fans feel the strict measures imposed on Everton should mean City get an even harsher punishment should they be found guilty of any rule-breaking.
MORE: Potential Man City FFP punishments and investigation explained
Everton charge, deduction explained, and club statement
Essentially, Everton were deducted points because they were found to have broken Premier League rules regarding how much clubs are allowed to spend relative to their levels of income.
Premier League regulations regarding acceptable financial losses, known as the competition's profit and sustainability rules, make it clear that clubs are allowed to lose a maximum of £105 million ($128.4 million) across a three-year period.
The Premier League referred the Toffees to an independent commission after deciding that the club had broken its rules. The league's argument was that Everton had gone over the permitted losses for 2021/22 by £19.5m; Everton insisted the figure was closer to £9.7m and that there were mitigating circumstances.
Leicester City, Leeds United and Burnley, all clubs who were relegated in either 21/22 or 22/23 when Everton stayed up by the skin of their teeth, all reportedly intend to sue as they believe the Toffees benefited from the unlawful spending that saw them charged and punished.
The rest of Chong's statement, in response to the charge, said: "We believe the sanction is disproportionate and wholly unjust.
"The club's view is that the harshness and severity of this punishment are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence that was submitted to the commission. For that reason, the club intends to appeal the outcome before the Premier League Appeals Board."
The whole situation is complicated by the fact that current Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is in the process of selling the club to American investment firm 777 Partners in £500 million ($627m) deal. Some reports have suggested the consortium could pull out of the deal, such are the complications caused by the charges.