Everton must hold fast in total eclipse of the S*n

The S*n newspaper is banned from both major Merseyside clubs. Everton made their side of the ban official this past April. Unfortunately, such a ban comes with multiple potential loopholes.

For instance, nothing stops a credentialed press representative from giving information to the S*n, nothing stops the paper from finding other ways to print on the dealings of Liverpool or Everton. The cynic may see that and call the stadium bans simply a publicity stunt, and they are more than entitled to that opinion.

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However, I would strongly maintain that the symbolism behind these bans are too important to simply write them off. In a free society the press is not censured by government forces, so when a media source proves itself immoral, bigoted, disinterested in the truth, and otherwise unworthy of patronage it is the right and duty of both individuals and private institutions to refuse association with such an institution.

Conversely, when an institution like Everton choose to participate in an event like the UEFA Europa League, UEFA reserves the right to set the rules and requirements for participation in their event.

Therefore, UEFA may try to insist that Everton allow S*n writers onto their grounds. Everton can challenge this in venues like the Court for the Arbitration for Sport, and they can also direct their staff and players to refuse to answer any questions from the S*n. Both are valid options moving forward if UEFA cannot respect the moral stand taken by the club.

Hopefully, UEFA will do the right thing and honor Everton’s ban. If they do not, then their actions will merely draw more attention to the dishonorable actions of the paper and that in itself will be a victory for morality.

Everton, and all dignified fans of the sport, stand with Liverpool and their fans in honoring the victims of the Hillsborough disaster with the truth and with a refusal to tolerate institutions that spread lies about the dead. We look forward to the day that the S*n is out of business and relegated to the trash heap of journalistic history.