Burnham Defends Man City Owners Despite Guilty Verdict in Financial Case

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended Manchester City’s owners following the club’s guilty verdict in a long-running Premier League financial case, saying he would be “really concerned” if the ownership group decided to sell the club.

Burnham praised the City Football Group and its wider ownership for the investment made in Manchester since Sheikh Mansour took control of the club in 2008.

Speaking to the BBC, Burnham said the ownership had become an important partner in the development of modern Manchester, pointing not only to investment in Manchester City but also projects around the Etihad Stadium and the wider city.

“I would be really concerned to lose them,” Burnham said, adding that the group had played a major role in helping turn Manchester City into a global football club.

His comments came a day after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules covering the period from the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons.

According to the Premier League, the commission found that City used what it described as “sham” commercial agreements, misstated financial accounts and breached spending regulations. The commission also found the club guilty of three of four alleged failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

Manchester City has rejected the findings and maintained that it did not commit the alleged wrongdoing. The club is expected to appeal the verdict, with the deadline for submitting an appeal set for October 2.

Burnham, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, said he would not interfere in the disciplinary process and cautioned against reaching conclusions before the legal and regulatory procedures were completed.

He referred to Everton’s experience with Premier League financial regulations, noting that the club was initially given a 10-point deduction in 2023 before the punishment was reduced to six points following an appeal.

Burnham said that experience had made him reluctant to take a position before Manchester City’s case had run its full course.

The final punishment for Manchester City has not yet been determined. Potential sanctions could include a fine, points deduction or other sporting penalties, depending on the outcome of the separate sanctions process and any subsequent appeal.

Burnham said there was “a lot at stake” for Manchester City, its supporters and the wider city as the case continues.