Everton appeal verdict: Andy Burnham tells Henry Winter ‘we won’t forget’ points deduction coverage
Andy Burnham thanked Henry Winter for covering the Everton points deduction situation “fairly and properly” after the appeal judgment was announced.
The Greater Manchester mayor responded via Twitter to the Times journalist on 26 February in the wake of the sanction being reduced from 10 to six.
Winter’s reaction to the appeals verdict was that it was “absolutely right” to be brought down to single figures, given interest payments on the stadium development should not have been included in the profit and sustainability calculations.
Burnham replied: “Thank you for covering it fairly and properly, Henry. We won’t forget that.”
Andy Burnham thanks Henry Winter for coverage of Everton battle against FFP sanction
Burnham, a Toffees supporter, has been a high-profile voice fighting the club’s corner and has been vocal about a perception of biased coverage from the likes of Sky Sports, after an interview he gave to the Premier League’s broadcast partner was pulled and never aired [Daily Mail, 28 November].
The former Labour cabinet minister has been highly critical of the process ever since the original commission ruling, and has also been extremely unhappy with Richard Masters and the league office’s role.
Sean Dyche’s side had been dumped into the relegation picture by the Premier League-record punishment in the first instance.
Some strong form late in 2023 had originally made light of that but the results have recently become far harder to come by, so the climb back to 15th in the table comes as some relief.
However, with a second hearing on the horizon for the next profit and sustainability charge Everton aren’t out of the woods yet.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri has come under renewed fire after new “overwhelming” evidence.
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