Sky Sports was recently criticized for not showing banners raised by Everton fans during the match between Manchester City and Liverpool.
The banners advocating corruption in the Premier League were held as part of a fan group’s protest against the 10-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules (known as ‘FFP’ or Financial Fair Play). Despite the uproar on social media, the banner was deemed unrelated to the match broadcast on Sky Sports.
The decision not to show the banner live has led to speculation that Sky Sports is trying to avoid offense in the Premier League. However, according to the Daily Mail, the broadcaster deemed this to be unrelated to the game. Everton fans group 1878, who organized the banner, decided to continue protesting and making their voices heard. Everton’s banner was ignored during the match between Manchester City and Liverpool, but Sky Sports reported protests by Everton fans during the home game against Manchester United. Fan actions were reported, including displaying anti-corruption cards and singing the league anthem.
Sky Sports also discussed the 10 point deduction for ‘FFP’ during the build-up to Everton’s match and mentioned it in the commentary as well. It should be noted that Sky Sports did not pay attention to another banner on this day. The banner, paid for by Amnesty International, called for the release of activist Ahmed Mansour from an Abu Dhabi prison. Mansour has been in prison since 2017 and was found guilty of “damaging the status and reputation of the UAE and its symbols” and “publishing false information that harms the reputation of the UAE abroad”.
The fact that Manchester City is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, gives the flag additional meaning.Everton plan to appeal their 10-point FFP deduction, the biggest in Premier League history, pushing them into the relegation zone. The club described the punishment as “a completely disproportionate and unfair sporting sanction”.
The deadline for appeals is December. Sky Sports’ decision not to display the Everton banner during the Manchester City-Liverpool match is debatable, but it must be admitted that the broadcaster covered other aspects of the fan protest.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Everton’s 10-point deduction and the wider issue of football corruption remains a topic of discussion.
