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Sky Sport pulled an interview with Andy Burnham in which he called for the Premier League to drop their 10-point penalty against Everton.
In a move he describes as ‘deeply troubling’, the Greater Manchester mayor and Gwladys Street season ticket holder was spoken to by the broadcaster ahead of the Toffees’ 0-3 defeat to Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday – but the footage was not shown.
Former Cabinet Minister Burnham, who has been an outspoken critic of the competition’s controversial decision to deduct 10 points from the troubled Merseyside club for breaches of financial rules, now wants to know why.
‘I don’t know why it wasn’t broadcast and I’d very much like an explanation,’ he told Mail Sport. ‘As a former Cabinet Minister, I don’t expect third parties to decide what I can and cannot say.’
On Saturday, Sky Sports did not show footage of a plane that flew over the Etihad Stadium during the televised clash between Manchester City and Liverpool which was paid for by irate Everton fans. It carried a banner with the message ‘Premier League = corrupt’.
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham – who is an Everton fan – had an interview pulled by Sky Sports where he called for the Premier League to drop the Toffees’ points deduction
Everton suffered the hammer blow of a 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules
A number of Sky reporters covering the Friday manager press conferences were told not to ask about Everton, although the issue was raised with Sean Dyche, Mauricio Pochettino and David Moyes.
Those covering the Sunday fixture at a seething Goodison Park for Sky were also reminded of their ‘editorial responsibilities’, according to sources, before Burnham’s interview, for Sky Sports News, was dropped.
Sky insiders claim the move was made following the death of Terry Venables and subsequent shift in editorial direction.
They also say they did not turn down the volume on the numerous, noisy and expletive anti-Premier League chants from Everton fans throughout the game as they were not loud enough to merit a change to the output.
A number of Sky reporters covering the Friday manager press conferences were told not to ask about Everton – and reminded of their ‘editorial responsibilities’
But Burnham is unimpressed. ‘There seems to be a wider picture here with views expressed by Evertonians at the game being silenced too,’ he added. ‘I find all this very troubling. They’ve have denied us our points. It surely can’t be right to deny Evertonians our voice as well?’
Burnham has accused the Premier League of an abuse of process and says the punishment – which has plunged Sean Dyche’s side into the relegation zone – should be made null and void.
He was written to the chair of the Premier League and secretary of state for culture, media and sport, accusing the competition of regulatory malpractice for seeking to introduce a sanctions policy specific to Everton’s case midway through the investigation.
Burnham said it was ‘deeply troubling’ that Everton voices were being ‘silenced’
Burnham, who did appear on Sophy Ridge’s Sky News show on Monday, has also alleged that they are using Everton as ‘a pawn’ in an effort to prevent the introduction of an independent regulator in football.
At Sunday’s match around 38,000 pink cards, with the Premier League logo and the word ‘corrupt’, were distributed and held aloft throughout the game by Everton supporters.
The situation comes at what could be viewed as a delicate time for broadcasters. In October the Premier League invited tenders for UK rights from 2026. The deadline for bids is this Friday, with an announcement on successful offers expected before the end of the year.
A Sky Sports spokesperson said: ‘Sky Sports has covered this news story extensively across our TV and digital channels, taking a fair and balanced approach to our reporting as always.’
