Everton points deduction: Andy Burnham sends blunt message to Premier League after reduction

Mayor of Greater Manchester and Everton season ticket holder Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham insists that football needs a ‘strong independent regulator’ after Everton’s points deduction and subsequent reduction.

The Mayor of Manchester accused the Premier League of not being capable of properly regulating football after the clubs 10-point deduction was reduced to six on Monday.

After appealing the sanction on nine grounds, two of which were upheld, the club regained four points and rose to 15th in the Premier League.

The current Government stressed the importance of an independent football regulator in its manifesto, based on findings from the fan-led review. Despite the scheme being mentioned in last year’s King’s Speech its necessity has been placed on the back-burner.

Burnham told Sky News: “The Premier League has proved, in my view, that they can’t properly regulate football through the way it’s treated Everton Football Club.

“You’re feeling all the time that the authorities are trying to undermine the club. It doesn’t feel fair”

“We need a strong, independent statutory regulator for football, learning from all of the wrong things that have been over recent weeks.”

In a lengthy statement the club conceded that it was satisfied with regaining the four points but the Toffees now face a second PSR complaint for breaching rules, with the enquiry potentially continuing until the end of the season.

If Everton are again deducted points it will mark a third successive season that the Blues have found themselves in a relegation scrap, despite the side considerably out-performing their points tally.

Burnham added: “There’s been some recognition today that it wasn’t fair. We take that, but they’re trying to place a second charge on Everton.

“I would say isn’t that a double jeopardy to try and take another process against us for the same thing?

“The club isn’t being treated fairly. I can only speak to you as a season ticket holder and you don’t feel like you can celebrate a goal because you think VAR is going to rule it out.”

When Everton were handed the original point deduction in November last year Burnham responded quickly, writing letters to the chair of the Premier League, Alison Brittain and the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Lucy Frazer.

Burnham is a long-term Everton fan and season ticket holder at the club.