Everton fans plan protest against 10-point deduction during game against Man Utd

Everton fans are planning to fly a plane over the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in protest against the Premier League handing them a 10-point deduction, with the gesture chosen for Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool which will be watched by millions around the world.

Toffees supporter group The 1878s, who have raised nearly £40,000 in a fighting fundraiser towards the protests, will also hand out ‘Premier League corrupt’ placards outside Goodison Park for their game against Manchester United on Sunday, plus many banners and flags.

The group wanted to fly the plane over Goodison but decided against it as the 4.30pm kick-off time means it will be dark in Liverpool. Instead, they have picked City’s clash with Merseyside rivals Liverpool to charter a plane with an anti-Premier League message.

Mail Sport understands the Premier League has no jurisdiction to stop these negative messages from Everton fans as the slogans are not officially endorsed by the club, but Sky Sports will face questions over how much coverage they give towards the protests.

The 1878s group confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that thousands of ‘Premier League corrupt’ leaflets will be printed and available to be collected from various pick-up points around Goodison Park before the match on Sunday.

There will also be flags and banners in both the Gwladys Street End and Park End. One will depict a defiant Sean Dyche with the slogan ‘Dogs of War’ and another reads ‘where there is power, money and greed, there is corruption’.

Everton fans are furious with the Premier League as they believe their punishment of a 10-point penalty for breaching financial rules by £19.5million is not fair or proportionate. Supporters are pushing for their punishment to be reduced on appeal.

The fan group, who have raised well over £30,000, wrote: ‘Thank you for all your contributions, the money will not only go towards the atmosphere on Sunday but a continued push at what is a critical time for Everton Football Club, during which we need to all be united as one and aligned.

‘We will itemise every purchase and publish this to make sure our approach is clear and transparent. We have tried to, as much as possible, deliver something that we feel incorporates the thousands of varied requests we've had within reason.’

Everton’s international players are set to return to training later this week, when it is understood Sean Dyche will hold a team meeting and encourage the squad to continue to follow an ‘us-against-the-world mentality’ on the pitch.