Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he would be deeply concerned if the owners of Manchester City decided to exit the club following a recent ruling that found the team guilty of violating Premier League financial regulations. The independent commission concluded that City breached rules over a decade-long period, with findings pointing to the use of “sham contracts” designed to mask more than £830m in secret funding. City, which continues to maintain its innocence, is expected to lodge an appeal against the commission’s decision before the 2 October deadline. Erling Haaland has been Manchester City’s star striker in recent seasons. A verdict that City are expected to appeal, an independent commission found the club guilty of the majority of the 115 charges they faced. The club continue to deny any wrongdoing and have until 2 October to submit an appeal. Being deducted points or ejected from the Premier League, to being stripped of the eight trophies they had won in the affected period, the punishment could range from a huge fine. Some fans and pundits have questioned how the club’s owners can carry on if they deliberately breached rules over the course of nine years. According to asked by political editor Chris Mason if he was concerned that Manchester City’s owners would now sell the club, Burham, On Wednesday: “I would be really concerned to lose them.
Addressing the situation, Burnham acknowledged the significant contributions made to the city of Manchester by the owners since 2008, a group led by Sheikh Mansour, a member of the United Arab Emirates royal family and the country’s deputy prime minister. Burnham remarked that the ownership group has been a vital partner in developing both the club into a global force and the infrastructure surrounding the Etihad Stadium, as well as investing broadly into the city itself. The home of Everton, the team he supports, burnham was speaking to from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The findings have prompted the Independent Football Regulator, established in 2025, to highlight serious issues within the case. The regulator indicated it may consider various disciplinary options, potentially including the revocation of the club’s ownership licence, once the current legal proceedings have concluded. A forthcoming sanctions hearing will determine the penalties for the club, which could include substantial fines, point deductions, expulsion from the league, or the stripping of eight trophies won during the relevant timeframe.
Burnham, reflecting on his own background as a former mayor of Greater Manchester and an Everton supporter, expressed caution regarding immediate reactions. Having previously defended Everton during their own financial rule disputes in 2023—where the club faced a point deduction—he emphasized the importance of fairness. He noted that he felt Everton was not treated equitably during their process and suggested that rushing to judgment in football cases is often detrimental.
Regarding his past professional interactions with City’s leadership, the Prime Minister stated he is confident that his actions as mayor would withstand any necessary scrutiny. Despite the gravity of the allegations and the shock expressed across the football community, Burnham maintained that it would be inappropriate for him to personally intervene in the ongoing legal matter.
Manchester City has formally expressed disappointment and surprise at the commission’s opinion, reiterating their stance that they have committed no wrongdoing. As the club prepares its appeal and the panel moves toward a sanctions hearing—a process that could span several months—the situation leaves both the team and the Premier League in a period of intense uncertainty.
