Daily Mail journalist Ian Herbert has sent an “extreme” message to Everton after what happened on Sky Sports ahead of the Toffees’ clash with Newcastle United.

Supporters in and around Goodison Park have been protesting against the Premier League following the decision to deduct Sean Dyche’s side 10 points for a single breach of profit and sustainability rules.

On the pitch, Everton’s recent form has seen them climb out of the relegation zone and while Herbert has been impressed by the “extraordinary” Toffees, he has been left frustrated by the broadcasters’ decision to not show supporters’ protests.

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

“Sky went to the extreme of sending their reporter to broadcast from the other side of the Mersey in Wirral, before the match against Newcastle United. It was also hard to miss the lack of shots of the Gwladys Street end, where protest banners fly, during Amazon Prime’s broadcast of Everton’s win that night.

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

Not good enough

Herbert may be correct in his assumption that Amazon Prime and Sky Sports have been asked by the Premier League to not broadcast the Everton supporters’ protests in recent weeks, but the fans deserve to be heard.

The punishment handed down to Dyche’s side has been considered extreme by almost everybody in the footballing world especially when you consider the lack of action taken against Manchester City and ultimately the supporters are those most affected.

Supporters inside Goodison Park weren’t the ones to overspend on players, but they’re the people who will ultimately feel the effects of the point deduction if it sees the Toffees relegated and therefore they should be able to voice their opinion.

Had these protests been against Farhad Moshiri, the broadcaster would have happily shown them on air. The rules shouldn’t change just because the targets of the protests have the power.