24/11/2023 35comments  |  Jump to last

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says that he feels there is a unity among the squad following the shock recommendation of a 10-point penalty from the independent commission into Everton's spending rules breach.

After Director of Football Kevin Thelwell said on the official website that the club as a collective will use the unprecedented and controversially harsh censure as "additional fuel", the Blues' No.9 became the first player to speak out following last Friday's announcement of the ruling.

With The 1878s fan group having raised around £40,000 for the production of banners, signs and the rental of a plane to fly over the Etihad Stadium tomorrow ahead of Manchester City's televised clash with Liverpool, Evertonians have been galvanized by the commission's decision.

A group of supporters will kick off a weekend of organised, peaceful protest with a gathering outside the Premier League's headquarters at 5:30 pm this Friday evening.

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An "atmosphere march" will then take place before Everton's game against Manchester United on Sunday, starting at The Brick pub at 3:45 pm with the aim of getting to Goodison Park by 4:05.

The stadium itself will feature an array of banners with defiant messaging ahead of a match that is expected to be played in front of another famously febrile Goodison atmosphere. 

“I’ve played in a lot of games against United at Goodison, and the atmosphere is always incredible," Calvert-Lewin said. “I expect the weekend to be no different – if not, more electric.

"I’m sure the fans will be ready. Us as players, we’ll prepare the same as normal and make sure we’re ready to put in a performance and collect the three points.

“I think, given the circumstances, I’ve sensed a lot of unity and togetherness. We were off on the international break when the news broke, but coming back in this week, I don’t feel like it’s fazed us players.

“We know, as a group, we can’t affect that. All we can affect is what’s in front of us, and that’s the game on Sunday, so we’re looking forward to that.”

Jack Harrison echoed those thoughts in an interview with BBC Sport, saying:

“It’s generating this feeling of even though we’ve had 10 points deducted yeah you can throw that at us but we are going to come back twice as hard”

 

Reader Comments (35)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 24/11/2023 at 08:37:58
The atmosphere will be electric but I hope the players keep their heads and control their emotions. We don’t need any more red cards or injuries.

Let the crowd do their job. We need to win this one to make a statement.

Banners, flags, chants, songs etc… are all fine but why not a collective mooning on 10 minutes to cause a worldwide sensation? Fuck the prem!! Bunch of arseholes the lot of them.

Jerome Shields
2 Posted 24/11/2023 at 09:28:06
The team has to play well and disciplined. Really whilst the Club has broke the rules. the actual punishment is an affront to the fans. Something that the Premier League has history with as regards to Everton. The fans sense, like the Club, the Premier League has been exposed for what they are.

Good Luck with the protest.

'He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.Our antagonists is our helper.'

Edmund Burke.

James Marshall
3 Posted 24/11/2023 at 10:16:22
Whatever banners, chants etc happen on Sunday, you can bet your bottom (Colin) dollar that Sky will do their best not to show any of it anyway.
Alan J Thompson
4 Posted 24/11/2023 at 11:16:23
Let them know that we will not be going gently into the night!
Mike Hayes
5 Posted 24/11/2023 at 12:28:14
We need to win this Sunday and the next 3 games, get those points back, and get as high up the table as possible – the players do their job, us fans will do ours wherever we are watching.

Fuck the Premier League and the other arsehole teams after suing us – we should sue the Premier League for allowing Saudi states to own clubs. 🤷💙

Pavel Ivanov
6 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:03:16
I can't help but wonder, is this our Hillsborough moment? Will the neighbours and the rest display solidarity and mettle, the way Everton did?

It just might be one of those needed handbrake-turn moments for the game.

Barry Hesketh
7 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:19:14
Pavel @6,

It's a big moment for Everton FC and perhaps for the future governance of the game in the top-flight, but we really shouldn't compare it to what happened on that fateful day back in April 1989.

I understand your sentiment, and I'm sure that many of the less tribal football fans will empathise with our current plight.

David Bromwell
8 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:29:13
Enormous added pressure on our players and we know games against Man Utd are never easy. We all know that life can sometimes be cruel so there can be no guarantee that we will collect all 3 points on Sunday.

Absolutely essential that we avoid unnecessary bookings and we play to our strengths which must mean finding a way of improving the service to Calvert-Lewin.

Big big game for the manager and his staff, who will all need to remember their Clough days and bring some of his magic to the proceedings.

Whatever the result we have to unite together manager, players and supporters against the rest, and importantly keep our collective heads, so that we retain the support of the sporting press and the wider football community.

Denis Richardson
9 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:49:06
I am confident myself. Massive game after the news obviously but we were playing well before the break and the crowd will be deafening.

Last place Man Utd probably want to go and they're miles off the team they used to be.

Keep it disciplined but aggressive from the off, get the crowd onside and take it from there. We have a fully fit first team and are at home so no excuses.

3 pts would be the perfect answer – one game at a time.

Jack Convery
10 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:52:07
Onana likely out for Sunday. Dyche said at press conference. Though Gomes and Deli are back on the grass.

We seem to have unlimited grass at Finch Farm, as whoever needs to be on it, gets to do so. Maybe we should invite the Premier League Board and Commission to come along and try being on the grass! It might chill them out.

Lynn Maher
11 Posted 24/11/2023 at 13:53:36
Just read on the BBC red button, the PL has drafted in pilots and air traffic controllers, to help Englands top referees.

Unbelievable you may think.

I agree, I didn't know we had any top referees!

Dale Self
12 Posted 24/11/2023 at 14:03:36
Not insignificant Lynn, the more spectrum we get of the PL’s incompetence the better right now. They should not be permitted to move from crisis to crisis controlling the narrative when it is their ad hoc methods getting them into crises.

By the way, what happened to Brazil? They’ve lost la nuestra.

Steve Dowdeswell
13 Posted 24/11/2023 at 14:31:12
I would hazard a guess that the match officials and VAR have been well briefed by the Premier League.

For the Man Utd match, harsh decisions against us plenty of bookings for minor tackles etc. No VAR to go out way for this match.

In fact, I fully expect both to be in place for the remainder of the season.

John Schrempft
14 Posted 24/11/2023 at 14:44:35
I'm all for demonstrations as a dedicated supporter of Everton for 60 years but please no violence such as attacks on the police, smashing windows or burning cars.

I don't think there will be... After all we're not from the dark side!

Jack Convery
15 Posted 24/11/2023 at 14:55:02
John Brooks has been named as the referee for Sunday. The last Everton game he refereed, he sent off Mason Holgate at Crystal Palce last season.

He has given out four red cards in 8 Premier League games, this season. Van Dijk of Liverpool, Bissouma of Spurs, Aguerrd of West Ham and Dahoud of Brighton. A 50% strike rate. We have another 1st as Holgate was the first Premier League player he ever sent off !!

Chris Kavanagh is the VAR – god help us.

Tom Bowers
16 Posted 24/11/2023 at 15:12:14
Despite the points penalty, we have to believe this squad and this manager can keep us in the Premier League.

After last season's near-miss, they do appear to have more strength and resilience, especially if Calvert-Lewin can remain fully fit and Doucouré continues his good form after apparently wanting to leave last season.

Man Utd have talent as we all know but have been iffy under Ten Haag so the 3 points could be ours providing the officiating doesn't jeopardize our chances.

COYB

Mike Hayes
17 Posted 24/11/2023 at 15:17:22
Heard on Radio Merseyside that Man Utd fans want some placards and banners to hold up - looks like they agree it's a travesty.

The fuckers at the Premier League have opened Pandora's box and I hope the bastards burn! 🔥 UTFT COYB ETID

Howard Don
18 Posted 24/11/2023 at 16:18:20
Jerome 2 and a few others here have it right. The crowd will hopefully create bedlam but it's very important the players stay disciplined.

We may well spend long periods under the cosh, important the crowd stay onside and with the players.

Mike Gaynes
19 Posted 24/11/2023 at 16:40:21
From the Guardian:

"The majority of Everton fans don't intend to take the penalty lying down. Planned protests this weekend include a march on Our League HQ in London, flying a banner over the Etihad on Saturday, before booing the Premier League anthem and holding up red cards that read “Premier League: Corrupt” during the game at Goodison."

And Ten Hag is scared shitless: “I can see the opposition and I can see they are mad. That's their fuel, we have to match those standards.”

Kevin Edward
20 Posted 24/11/2023 at 16:51:05
Let the Hunger Games continue…

Are the Premier League bringing in Graham Poll to brief the match officials on how to slap down the dissenters?

Pleased that Calvert-Lewin and the team are looking forward to it, it should be a cracker regardless of the result.

This could be epic for EFC, probably one of only a handful of occasions since 1995 that is truly unmissable.

Neil Copeland
21 Posted 24/11/2023 at 17:20:37
Despite all the worry about potential compensation claims and what that may bring, I can't wait for Sunday. Or for the next one away at Forest.

In fact, from this point, on every game will feel like a cup final. As long as we stick together and with the team and manager and we believe I think we will be fine.

This is an opportunity to truly show what Everton really is and what a real presence we are. Let's shove it right up those corrupt twats.

WHO ARE WE? UTFTs

Paul Kossoff
22 Posted 24/11/2023 at 17:47:46
Any chance the other lot, not more than a mile away from us, want to protest against this injustice? Have they requested banners?

Klip-Klop should have made a comment supporting us by now. Oh wait, he wants to form a Super League, so he couldn't care less.

Keep an eye out for dodgy decisions against us for the rest of the season, starting Sunday. And of course the red bastards trying to score as many against us as possible, maybe even them making banners supporting the Premier League. Coyb.

Pete Neilson
23 Posted 24/11/2023 at 18:12:56
Paul (22),

They were one of the four clubs (with Spurs, Arsenal and Man Utd) who lobbied the Premier League to introduce the random £105M limit. Anything to keep other clubs in their place.

They would have actually failed the test themselves if applied a couple of years earlier. The personnel might have changed since 2013 but not their outlook.

Jerome Shields
24 Posted 24/11/2023 at 19:27:57
Calvert-Lewin really needs to be disciplined and concentrate on getting in position.
Paul Jones
25 Posted 24/11/2023 at 20:46:38
Yeah baby!

Not sure what Calvert-Lewin has said but it must be right.

Brian Wilkinson
26 Posted 24/11/2023 at 21:24:50
I wonder if either Lyndon or Michael could locate an article around 2 to 3 years ago entitled Enough is Enough.

The point made was that various Everton fans' groups were trying to attend Goodison, for the media to witness our dissatisfaction against the Everton board. It will have been on the same day our Fans Advisory Board member was stood at the Pier Head, talking about the board on a different level to those that turned up at Goodison that evening.

If anyone can remember the article, although it gained some support, a lot of responses were: "What will this achieve?" "Waste of time"… Well, had we fought a lot harder back then, we might have achieved something against the board, and might not even be in this mess now, but too many thought it was pointless.

Now we find ourselves all banding together because the punishment does not fit the crime, every single Evertonian is shouting from the same hymnsheet, and we have to fight back against the corruption in the Premier League.

I just wished back then when we tried to do something about it, more could have come forward and taken it to the board sooner, rather than just the last year.

Some of us saw this coming, not the 10-point deduction but the unprofessional way the club and accounts were being run. We tried to at least try and do something; we never quite got enough backing back then, but that chance has gone.

This is a second chance for the supporters to come together, get our point across to the Premier League, do whatever we can, but we have to stand together on this one.

Those who are still sat on the fence, still undecided whether this protest is worthwhile, the fans need you more than ever on this one.

We missed one opportunity years ago, let's not throw this one away on Sunday, we all have to come together on this one and stand as one.

Up the Toffees.

Tony Everan
27 Posted 24/11/2023 at 21:40:42
This one Brian?

https://www.ToffeeWeb.com/season/22-23/comment/talkingpoints/42350.html

Brian Wilkinson
28 Posted 24/11/2023 at 22:03:00
Cheers, Tony, I cannot open it but it could be the one.
Tony Abrahams
29 Posted 24/11/2023 at 22:16:31
The human race is great at making decisions after the horse has bolted, Brian, but hopefully the curse has finally been lifted and this disproportionate punishment helps to keep us Evertonians united for a very long time, mate. 🤞
Paul Kossoff
31 Posted 24/11/2023 at 23:11:29
Cheeky. Bastard Guwondeallio or what ever his name is said, "The 115 financial charges facing Manchester City represent a "completely different" case to Everton's Premier League points deduction and cannot be compared.

The Toffees were handed a 10-point sanction after being found to have breached financial rules.

City boss Guwondealio was asked if he was worried what could happen to the club after Everton's punishment.

"It's two different cases. It's not the same - honestly," said Guwondealio. 'Honestly' is not the word he should be using.

Paul Kossoff
32 Posted 24/11/2023 at 23:19:54
Brian 28, Hope this works:

Enough is Enough — Brian Wikinson, 11 July 2022

Brendan McLaughlin
33 Posted 24/11/2023 at 23:22:46
To be fair, Paul #31,

The Everton Board came out with a load of crap when they were first charged by the Premier League.

Do you really expect honesty from any of them?

Paul Birmingham
34 Posted 24/11/2023 at 23:34:11
The club needs to appoint figureheads in the CEO and Chairman roles on the board asap, as this lack of an official full-time management structure, imho, helps the kangaroo court and the crooked dirty sewer rat the Premier League to manipulate Everton's situation.

UTFTs!

Derek Knox
35 Posted 24/11/2023 at 04:05:47
James Marshall @ 3, spot on there.

I remember when we protested at Goodison Park, outside and inside, when Kenwright was with us. 'Kenwright Out' etc,

Sky cameras conveniently left most of them out, but concentrated on the 'Moshiri angle'.

Michael Kenrick
36 Posted 25/11/2023 at 10:17:04
Brian @26,

Sorry to be a naysayer but I think your timeline is a bit off.

Your fine article was from July of last year and directed at the Everton Board. Most of them 'left' (persuaded to leave… sacked?) soon after and were subsequently given huge payoffs that may well tip our 2022-23 PRS Calculation! But I digress.

Suffice to say the "Enough is Enough" protest was effective. And then protest virtually evaporated after the Board was 'cleansed'. Job done?

Yet what I'm trying to point out is that the damage was already done and set in concrete in terms of profligate expenditure that caused the charge of breaching PSR. So I just think it's unlikely that greater protest back then could have changed things for us now.

Earlier? Yes… but it would have to have been a lot earlier, when the silky-tongued lothario held everyone in awe and few questioned his judgement and his running of the club.


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