The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has claimed that Everton fans are being "silenced" in the wake of their 10-point deduction from the Premier League.
Burnham has gone on the record to state that Sky Sports cut an interview with him regarding Everton's points deduction ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Everton supporters went to great lengths to organise protests around Goodison Park at the weekend, with almost all 38,000 supporters holding up placards bearing the Premier League logo above the word 'Corrupt'.
The Premier League's anthem was also booed before kickoff, as the Toffees fanbase also chanted anti-Premier League songs throughout the match.
"I don't know why it wasn't broadcast and I'd very much like an explanation." Burnham said about having the interview cut, before calling the move "deeply troubling".
In the aftermath of the deduction, and after the mayor had looked into the paperwork regarding the decision, he accused the Premier League of an abuse of process, saying the punishment should be made null and void.
Burnham then wrote to the Premier League and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, accusing the league of regulatory malpractice.
"There seems to be a wider picture here with views expressed by Evertonians at the game being silenced, I find all this very troubling. They have denied us our points. It surely can't be right to deny Evertonians our voice as well?' Burnham added.
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Sky Sports also came in for criticism by some Everton supporters after there was no coverage or footage of the plane which flew around the Etihad Stadium during Manchester City's clash with Liverpool the previous day with a banner calling the Premier League corrupt.
News also circulated before the weekend's action that reporters were advised not to ask neutral managers about Everton's situation.
However, despite that alleged briefing, managers such as Mikel Arteta, David Moyes (both formerly of Everton) and Mauricio Pochettino were quizzed on the topic in their pre-match press conferences.
Sky Sports have come out in staunch defence of their broadcasting, claiming that scheduling was changed due to the death of Terry Venables earlier on Sunday, with coverage instead focusing on tributes to the former England manager.
A spokesperson representing Sky Sports 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."
While his interview was cut in Sky Sports' Super Sunday coverage, Burnham was then invited onto Sky News where he alleged that the Premier League are using Everton as "a pawn" in hopes of preventing the introduction of an independent regulator in football, which was mentioned in the King's speech recently.
The punishment handed to Everton saw them drop into the relegation zone, level on points with Burnley who prop up the standings.
Dyche's side were beaten 3-0 by Man United at Goodison Park on Sunday, and will next travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
Andrew Delaney
