Supporters keep stopping Sean Dyche in the street asking same thing about Everton, Man City and FFP

Sean Dyche said he often gets stopped and asked about Everton’s treatment by the Premier League - with even rival fans questioning what has happened.

The Blues are currently in the relegation zone and face a third consecutive battle for survival after a 10 point deduction for breaching league spending rules plunged a mid-table side into a battle it looked set to avoid.

That sanction is the subject of an appeal - the arguments of which were heard last week with a verdict that will define Everton’s campaign expected in the next week or two. Any headway could also strengthen the club’s defence against a second alleged breach of profit and sustainability regulations that will also be dealt with this season.

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The deduction and the arguments around it have sparked debate within football about spending regulations and how the actions of different clubs are being dealt with. This includes Manchester City, the subject of more than 100 alleged breaches by the Premier League and which was charged before Everton but whose case has not yet been dealt with.

Asked whether he had any thoughts on the prospect of Everton having two cases dealt with before the case is heard around Manchester City, Everton’s next opponent, Dyche said: “Not thoughts. Just like everyone else, we are all wondering what makes one rule for one and one rule for the other. I think that’s the only thing. I don’t know the ins and outs for every reason but I think we are all asking that.

"The people in the street are asking that - ‘why is it particularly Everton?’ I don’t know what the exact number is but they