Andy Burnham demands answers after Sky choose not to show Everton interview

Sky Sports opted not to show interview with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham demands answers after Sky choose not to show interview ahead of Everton vs Manchester United

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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, wants to know why Sky opted against showing an interview with him before Everton’s defeat to Manchester United.

Burnham, who is an Everton season-ticket holder, has written to Alison Brittain, the chairwoman of the Premier League, to accuse the organisation of an 'abuse of process' and 'regulatory malpractice'. The move came after the Goodison Park club was docked 10 points after being found guilty of breaching profit and sustainability rules.

And in a separate interview with the broadcaster, filmed before the Blues lost 3-0 to Erik ten Hag’s side on Sunday afternoon, former Cabinet Minister Burnham called for the Premier League to drop their 10-point penalty against the Blues. However, Sky decided not to broadcast the interview.

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Asked by Mail Sport about the decision made by the broadcaster, Burnham said: “I don’t know why it wasn’t broadcast and I’d very much like an explanation. As a former Cabinet Minister, I don’t expect third parties to decide what I can and cannot say."

Before he added: “There seems to be a wider picture here, with views expressed by Evertonians at the game being silenced too.

“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?"

The broadcaster also came under pressure from Blues supporters on Saturday when it opted against showing an anti-Premier League banner during Manchester City’s draw with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

The banner, which was organised by The 1878s Everton fan group, read 'Premier League = corrupt' and was flown over the Etihad during the second-half of the game that ended in a 1-1 draw. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike 10 minutes from time cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener.

The ECHO understands that the decision not to show the anti-Premier League banner was taken because the broadcaster wanted to focus on the action on the pitch. But the flying of the plane over the Etihad was mentioned within the Sky Sports match report on their app and website.

And sources at Sky insist that the decision not to show Burnham's interview was made after the broadcaster chose to shift the coverage to the death of former England boss Terry Venables. Burnham was interviewed on Sophie Ridge's show on Sky News on Monday night.

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.”

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