Andy Burnham admits to ‘concern’ if Manchester City lose their owners after guilty verdicts

Andy Burnham has said he would be “really concerned” to lose Manchester City’s owners as a result of the club being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules.

On the day that the Independent Football Regulator confirmed it has powers to investigate the suitability of the Abu Dhabi United Group to own an English club after the damning judgment of an independent commission regarding £900m of sham contracts, the prime minister praised City’s owners for their investment of billions of pounds into Manchester.

“I would be really concerned to lose them,” Burnham said. “They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester, and the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.

“I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn’t just put into the Etihad and the campus around it but also into the city.”

Burnham insisted he would not get involved in the Premier League’s disciplinary process, despite the potential impact that punishing City could have on the UK-Abu Dhabi trading relationship, which is worth around £30bn a year.

Despite this, Burnham appeared to express some sympathy for City’s plight by referring to his previous involvement in campaigning on behalf of Everton, who in 2023 were docked six points by the Premier League for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

“I can’t intervene more in the process,” Burnham said. “It would be wrong for me to do that. It would be wrong, I think, to jump to a conclusion before having really studied all of the detail. But obviously it’s ongoing, and because it’s still contested by Manchester City, then I think it’s right that I don’t say much more.

“Everton was in this position a few years ago and you might remember that I fought for Everton in that situation. I still hold the view very firmly that they weren’t fairly treated in that process. I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time and, with hindsight, I think more people would say that wasn’t fair the way that was handled.”

In a statement released earlier on Wednesday the IFR chief executive, David Kogan, confirmed the regulator is monitoring the City case and could take action. “The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues,” Kogan said.

“The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals.

“This includes taking account of findings made by the leagues. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments.”