Andy Burnham says he would be “extremely concerned” if Manchester City’s owners sold the club after an independent commission found the club guilty of most of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Manchester City are expected to appeal against the commission’s findings before the 2 October deadline, while continuing to deny any wrongdoing.
The commission concluded that the club had used “sham contracts” with several commercial partners as part of a scheme to conceal more than £830m in secret funding. The Premier League said City had “systematically breached league rules for almost a decade”.
The case has also drawn the attention of the Independent Football Regulator, established by the government in 2025. It said the findings raised “serious issues” and that it would consider its available options, including revoking the owners’ licence to operate the club, once the disciplinary process has concluded.
A hearing to decide the punishment is expected to take months. Potential sanctions range from a substantial fine and points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League. The club could also be stripped of the eight titles it won during the period under consideration.
Burnham praises City owners’ investment
Asked by BBC political editor Chris Mason whether he was concerned that Manchester City’s owners might sell the club, Burnham said on Wednesday: “I would be extremely concerned to lose them.”
Burnham, who was mayor of Greater Manchester until June, added: “They have been a key partner in building modern Manchester, and certainly in building Manchester City into the global force it is today.”
He thanked City Football Group and the other owners for the money they had invested “not only in the Etihad Stadium and the surrounding campus, but across the whole city”.
Burnham said he was “absolutely” confident that his dealings with City’s owners during his time as mayor would withstand scrutiny. The club has been owned since 2008 by a group led by Sheikh Mansour, the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, who Burnham said had invested heavily in the city.
Burnham speaks at Everton’s ground
Burnham’s comments came at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the home of Everton, the club he supports. Everton were themselves charged with financial rule breaches in November 2023 and initially deducted 10 points. That punishment was reduced to six points on appeal.
“Everton were in this position a few years ago, and you may remember that I defended Everton in that case because I still strongly believe they were not treated fairly,” Burnham said.
“I remember people condemning Everton at the time and, looking back, I think many people would say the way it was handled was not fair.”
He added: “It is frustrating when people rush to judgment. There is a lot at stake for Manchester City’s fans, the club and the city itself, but it would be wrong for me to intervene.”
Manchester City said in a statement that it was “disappointed and surprised by the Premier League commission’s opinion” and maintained its innocence on all charges.
