Manchester City should face the appropriate consequences if wrongdoing is established, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said, amid the club’s ongoing case over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
The comments came a day after Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, expressed concern over reports that City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners could potentially sell the club.
City were recently found guilty by an independent commission of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations and face the possibility of severe sanctions.
The club has denied wrongdoing and said it will appeal the ruling.
Burnham had told the BBC that City’s owners had been “a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester” and had helped transform the club into a global force.
“I would be really concerned to lose them,” Burnham said, referring to media speculation that the case could eventually result in a change of ownership.
His comments attracted criticism from opposition politicians, with Shadow Sports Minister Louie French calling for politics to be kept out of football and for the independent commission to remain free from outside influence.
Responding to the backlash, a Number 10 spokesperson said Burnham had made clear that the process remained independent and ongoing.
“As the prime minister made clear, the initial judgment is serious and there can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules. He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process,” the spokesperson said.
“It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.”
French also questioned whether Burnham’s comments could leave supporters wondering if political pressure was being applied to the case.
“Andy Burnham’s intervention in support of Manchester City’s owners is frankly extraordinary. The club face unprecedented allegations and fans are horrified by what they are reading in the papers,” he said.
“Yet Burnham is publicly backing the owners even as the investigation continues. Fans will rightly ask whether political pressure is being applied here and how it relates to the owners’ well-reported investments in Manchester.”
Manchester City have until Friday to appeal the ruling.
