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Everton fans have staged a protest outside the Premier League\u2019s headquarters in London in response to the club\u2019s 10-point punishment for breaching financial regulations.<\/p>\n
The Toffees were handed the sanction by an independent commission last week after they exceeded losses permitted under the league\u2019s profitability and sustainability rules by \u00a319.5million in the three seasons ending in 2021-22.<\/p>\n
Manager Sean Dyche expressed shock at the \u201cdisproportionate\u201d penalty on Friday, a sentiment shared by the fans who gathered outside the Premier League\u2019s offices in Paddington, west London.<\/p>\n
Paul, 36, who lives in East Dulwich but is originally from St Helens, is a season-ticket holder who will be at Sunday\u2019s game against Manchester United.<\/p>\n
He told the PA news agency that the points deduction \u201cfelt draconian\u201d, adding: \u201cIt just feels like the rules were deliberately vague to give flexibility for this kind of situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Everton have been deliberately targeted because of the threat of an independent regulator, and that feels wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alan Newton, 46, who lives in London but is originally from Maghull, held a season ticket for 10 years.<\/p>\n
He told PA: \u201cNobody\u2019s saying that we\u2019re not guilty as a club of anything, but the points that have been taken off is far too harsh a penalty.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I think that some of the other bigger clubs are going to get penalties like this or it\u2019s going to play out the same? Probably not.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the likelihood is we\u2019ll get a reduced penalty, it\u2019ll set a precedent for other clubs and we\u2019ll see what happens next.\u201d<\/p>\n
The points deduction has left Everton 19th in the table and above bottom side Burnley only on goal difference.<\/p>\n
However, Amy Panayi, 28, who lives in Gravesend but is originally from Liverpool, does not believe the club will be relegated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we just get consistency with your teams like Manchester City and Chelsea, I will take a 10-point deduction,\u201d she told PA. \u201cI will say I don\u2019t think we will go down, because there\u2019s too much fight (and) heart there.\u201d<\/p>\n