Key facts
- Downing Street stated Manchester City are not "above the rules" after criticism of Andy Burnham's comments.
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed concern about the club's owners potentially selling up.
- Burnham said he would be "really concerned to lose them" if the owners sold the club.
- Tory MPs accused Burnham of "publicly backing the owners" and questioned if political pressure was being applied.
- Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier wrote to HMRC regarding potential tax implications of the case.
Downing Street has stated that Manchester City are not "above the rules" after Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, faced criticism for his comments regarding the club's alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated on Wednesday that he would be "really concerned" if the club's owners were to sell up, following findings by an independent commission that City committed most of the 115 charges against them.
Burnham had stated that he was "not getting directly involved in the process" and that it must be undertaken independently by the Premier League, noting that the situation was "contested by Manchester City." He added that he would be "really concerned to lose them" if the owners, led by Sheikh Mansour, were to sell, citing their significant role in the development of modern Manchester and the club.
His remarks drew criticism from Conservative MPs, who accused Burnham of "publicly backing the owners" and questioned whether "political pressure" was being applied. Shadow minister for sport Louie French urged the government to "keep politics out of football" and ensure the Premier League's independent commission could operate without outside influence.
Separately, Dame Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Commons Treasury committee, wrote to HMRC on Thursday seeking reassurance about the importance of the case for any potential tax implications. The independent panel found that City arranged "sham contracts" as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of over £830 million, while the Premier League stated City "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade." City denies any wrongdoing and is expected to appeal the findings.