Everton will formally lodge their appeal this week over the immediate 10-point deduction dished out to them last Friday.

The biggest points deduction in the 135-year history of English top flight football has plunged Sean Dyche’s men – who were just two points adrift of big-spending Chelsea and a place in the top half of the Premier League – to second bottom in the table, in the relegation zone and currently only above basement side Burnley on goal difference.

The Blues return to action on Sunday when they host Manchester United in what is sure to be a vociferous show of support from enraged home fans – supporters’ group The 1878s has already raised over £40,000 through donations towards efforts to help Evertonians to express their disappointment at the sanction, outlining the details of their plans which include flags, banners and specially produced cards – but the club should have already made their official move by then.

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The ECHO understands that Everton, who believe the punishment to be unfair, unjust and disproportionate, are planning to formally lodge their appeal before the end of this week and that the appeal process will be completed before the end of the current 2022/23 season, although there is no more detailed guidance on a potential timescale at this stage.

The independent commission that handed out Everton’s immediate 10-point deduction was chaired by David Phillips KC with the two other members being His Honour Alan Greenwood and Nick Igoe ACA. Everton’s appeal will be heard before an entirely different set of individuals from the first independent commission but the ECHO also understands the Premier League still appoints the panellists on the commission.