Downing Street says Man City not above the rules after Burnham backlash

Downing Street has been forced to clarify that Manchester City are not above the rules after Andy Burnham sparked a political storm by saying he would be worried if the club's owners decided to sell up. The prime minister's office issued the statement following the backlash caused by his remarks after an independent commission found City guilty of most of the 115 Premier League financial charges they faced.

• Downing Street insists no club, including Manchester City, is above the financial rules.
• Andy Burnham said he would be really concerned if the Emirati owners sold the club.
• Manchester City deny any wrongdoing and have until Friday to lodge their appeal.
• The independent panel found sham contracts used to hide more than £830m in secret funding.
• Opposition parties accuse Burnham of applying political pressure while the case remains open.

What Andy Burnham said about a potential Man City sale

In an interview with BBC political editor Chris Mason, Andy Burnham refused to take sides on the case itself and insisted the process must be handled independently by the Premier League. The prime minister, who served as mayor of Greater Manchester until June, said the situation is contested by the club and it would be wrong to jump to conclusions.

Asked whether he would be worried if the owners since 2008, led by Sheikh Mansour, the UAE deputy prime minister, decided to sell, Burnham admitted he would be really concerned to lose them. He highlighted their role in building modern Manchester and turning City into the global force they are today.

Tory and Lib Dem criticism over Burnham's football intervention

The prime minister's comments did not go unnoticed. The Conservative Party branded them completely out of touch and extraordinary, while many in the football community were also taken by surprise. Downing Street then released a statement in an attempt to settle the controversy and establish the government's official stance.

The initial judgement is serious and there can't be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Shadow sports minister Louie French called on the government to keep politics out of football and warned that fans will wonder whether political pressure is being applied. Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine also reminded Burnham that he is prime minister for everyone, not just Manchester.

What the independent commission found against City

The independent panel examining Manchester City's finances concluded that the club arranged sham contracts with several commercial partners to conceal more than £830m in secret funding. The Premier League claims City systematically broke its financial rules for nearly a decade, accusations the club firmly denies.

The club, owned by the Emirati group led by Sheikh Mansour, is expected to argue that the sponsorship deals in question were funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the owners. That will be a central part of the appeal City must file before Friday.

Possible sanctions for Manchester City and what comes next

The commission that found City guilty still needs to determine the punishment. A separate sanctions hearing will be convened, although it could take months to take place. The options on the table include a huge fine or a significant points deduction, but nothing has been decided yet.

The case is entering a critical phase. The Manchester club has only a few days to formalise its appeal, and its defence will rely on the argument that the money came directly from the Abu Dhabi state. Meanwhile, football authorities in Britain continue to insist that rules must apply equally to every club.

The Independent Football Regulator responds to the case

David Kogan, chairman of the Independent Football Regulator, admitted the case has raised serious issues and confirmed that his body has the power to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives. Kogan said those powers will be used where appropriate, taking into account the findings made by the leagues.

David Bernstein, former chairman of both Manchester City and the Football Association, said he was concerned by Burnham's comments. He stressed that the independent regulator must work without political interference and suggested the prime minister should stay well away from this matter.

Burnham's Everton comparison and his time as mayor

Andy Burnham used the interview to draw a comparison with Everton, the club he supports and which was punished in 2023 for a more minor breach of financial rules. The prime minister said he holds a very firm view that the Liverpool side were not treated fairly during that process.

Burnham also said he is confident his dealings with City's owners during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester will stand up to scrutiny. The relationship between the club and local authorities has been close since Sheikh Mansour took control of City.

Frequently asked questions about the Man City case