‘Abuse of process’: Andy Burnham hits out at Premier League’s Everton penalty

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has accused the Premier League of an abuse of process in its attempt to impose a 10-point penalty on Everton and said the club’s punishment must be declared null and void.

Burnham has written to the chair of the Premier League, Alison Brittain, and the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Lucy Frazer, in his capacity as an Everton season-ticket holder. He has accused the Premier League of “regulatory malpractice” for seeking to introduce a sanctions policy specific to Everton’s case midway through the disciplinary process and of using the club as “a pawn” in efforts to show an independent regulator is not required in football.