Phil Jagielka raises Premier League concern for Everton and questions if they want to see club relegated

Former Everton captain Phil Jagielka has raised questions about whether the Premier League wishes to see the club relegated.

He expressed his concerns as the Toffees awaits the decision on their appeal against a hefty 10-point deduction imposed in November. Despite currently spending more seasons in England's top flight than any other club, Everton finds itself in the relegation zone due to this severe sanction, which is unprecedented in the competition's long history.

Sean Dyche's team would stand high and dry in 12th position if these points hadn't been subtracted. But as the Goodison Park outfit eagerly waits for the result of their appeal - a process believed to have ended on February, 2nd according to ECHO - Jagielka suspects the club might be facing unjust treatment. When talkSPORT questioned if he agreed with many Everton fans who feel there may be an individual grudge against them, Jaglielka responded: "I can see why they (the fans) think that way. I can't believe that there's only one club that's ever made bad decisions financially since the Premier League started.

"There's only one team that's been deducted points. I don't know the ins and outs and whether the rules have changed blah, blah, blah, but if other clubs have got away with it, you can't say it's still pending, these investigations are pending for 25 years, who is going to care what's gone on? It's got to be done within a timeframe and it seems that for whatever reason someone has decided that this was going to happen very sharpish."

Despite facing 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations, Manchester City were able to use their riches to form a team that clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup last year.