Manchester City should face consequences if wrongdoing is established, Burnham spokesperson says

Manchester, United Kingdom. Manchester City should face “appropriate consequences” if wrongdoing is established, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Thursday. The statement came a day after Burnham expressed concern about the club’s owners potentially selling it.

Financial rules case

City face potentially severe sanctions after an independent commission found them guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. The club have denied wrongdoing and said they will appeal.

Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, told the BBC on Wednesday that City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners had been “a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester” and in turning the club into a global force.

“I would be really concerned to lose them,” he said, referring to media speculation that the case could ultimately lead to a change of ownership.

Opposition criticism

Burnham’s comments drew strong criticism from opposition politicians. Shadow Sports Minister Louie French said the government must “keep politics out of football” and ensure the independent commission remained free of “outside influence.”

French, a Conservative lawmaker, said the remarks would leave fans questioning whether political pressure was being applied in the City 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.

Number 10 response

Responding to the backlash, a Number 10 spokesperson said Burnham had made clear that the process remained ongoing and independent.

“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.”