Downing Street has stated that Manchester City is not “above the rules” following public criticism of remarks made by Andy Burnham regarding the club’s recent breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The controversy emerged after the prime minister noted on Wednesday that he would be “really concerned” if the club’s long-standing owners decided to divest following an independent commission’s finding that City had committed most of the 115 charges brought against them.
These comments, which caught many in the sporting community off guard, were condemned by the Tories as “extraordinary” and “completely out of touch.” Critics accused Burnham of providing public support for the club’s owners while an active investigation remains underway, prompting questions about potential political interference.
In a clarifying statement, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the initial judgment is a serious matter. “There can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that the independent process must be allowed to conclude fully and that any outcome must be respected. The government maintains that where wrongdoing is proven, the responsible parties must face the appropriate consequences. A No 10 spokesperson added: “He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process, in an attempt to clarify the PM’s position.
The Premier League has concluded that Manchester City “systematically broke” its rules for nearly a decade. Findings from the independent panel suggest the club engaged in a scheme to disguise over £830 million in secret funding through various “sham contracts” with commercial partners.
During a recent interview with, Burnham—who served as the mayor of Greater Manchester until June—denied seeking to influence the proceedings. He insisted that the process must remain independent and that it would be inappropriate to reach a premature conclusion, especially since the charges are contested by the club. When he was mayor of Greater Manchester, man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (left) chats to Andy Burnham in 2019 at the Etihad Stadium.
When asked about the possibility of the owners, led by UAE deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour, selling the club, Burnham expressed significant concern. “I would be really concerned to lose them,” he said, noting their role in developing modern Manchester and turning the club into a global force. He maintained that he could not intervene in the process, as doing so would be improper.
Manchester City officially denies any wrongdoing. The club has until Friday to submit its appeal, which sources indicate will focus on the argument that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the ownership group directly.
