Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed serious concern that Manchester City's owners could sell the club in the wake of the Premier League's financial rule breach findings. The former mayor of Greater Manchester said he would be 'really concerned to lose them' if the Abu Dhabi-led ownership group decided to depart.
Burnham praised the impact of Sheikh Mansour and the City Football Group since their 2008 takeover, which has coincided with the club's rise to the top of English football. He highlighted their investment beyond the Etihad Stadium campus into the wider regeneration of Manchester itself. "The owners have been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is," Burnham said.
Burnham urges caution on judgment
The Prime Minister pointed to his previous defence of Everton during their financial case to explain his cautious stance. He said it would be wrong for him to take sides now, recalling that he fought for Everton because he believed they were not treated fairly. Burnham added that people were too quick to judge Everton at the time, a view many now share with hindsight.
He stressed there is a lot at stake for the club, its supporters, and the city of Manchester as the disciplinary process continues. Burnham also stated he was confident his own past interactions with City's owners during his time as mayor would stand up to any scrutiny.
The regulatory backdrop
The comments come after an independent commission found City guilty of the majority of 115 charges, including operating a disguised funding scheme that inflated revenue by more than £830m. The Premier League said the club "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade". City have described the decision as "unsafe" and maintain their innocence, with an appeal deadline of 2 October.
The Independent Football Regulator, established in 2025, has indicated it will explore options including stripping owners of their licence once the process concludes. Its chair, David Kogan, said the regulator would use its powers to protect the honesty and integrity of English football, taking account of the league's findings.
This off-field uncertainty contrasts sharply with Manchester City's perfect start to the new Premier League season. The team sits first in the standings with 15 points from five wins, three points clear of Arsenal. The latest win was a 5-3 victory over Sunderland where Erling Haaland was among the scorers. The squad now prepares for its next challenge, a home fixture against Aston Villa.
Potential sanctions from the commission, which could range from a massive fine to points deductions or even expulsion, will be decided at a separate hearing. City can appeal both the verdicts and any punishment imposed. The club's statement expressed disappointment and surprise at the commission's opinion, reaffirming their denial of all accusations.
Further reading: BBC Sport Football
