No.10 issues statement after Andy Burnham slammed for 'backing' Man City owners

· Mirror

Andy Burnham has been criticised for saying that he'd be 'really concerned' if Manchester City's owners sold the club after they were found guilty of breaching Premier League rules

Downing Street has issued a statement after Prime Minister Andy Burnham was accused of 'backing' Manchester City's under-fire owners. City were found guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules between 2009 and 2018, with an independent commission finding them to have inflated revenue and reduced costs by £900million, handed out 'sham' contracts and misstated accounts over the nine-year period.

The club strongly deny the charges and say that there is a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence' that proves their innocence. Should City fail to win in their appeal, it's been speculated that their Abu Dhabi owners, including Sheikh Mansour, could be forced to sell the club.

Asked if he was worried about such an outcome, Burnham - formerly the Mayor of Greater Manchester - told the BBC on Wednesday: "I would be really concerned to lose them.

> "They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester. Obviously, the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is."

Everton fan Burnham was hit with widespread backlash for his comments, prompting Downing Street to issue a statement on Thursday night. A No.10 spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister made clear the initial judgement 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. 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."

Burnham added in his interview that he expects his dealings with City while he was Mayor to stand up to potential scrutiny. "Oh indeed," the PM affirmed.

> "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, but yes of course."

After making it clear that he won't be 'getting directly involved in the process', Burnham went on to say: "I have to keep my distance from it. It would be wrong for me to do anything else.

> "It's an independent legal process that has to play its course through ... There's a lot at stake. Let's be honest about that, for the football club, for city supporters, for the city of Manchester."

Among those to criticise Burnham were members of the Conservative Party. Shadow minister for sport Louie French commented: "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. Football must be governed independently, with the rules applying equally to everyone."

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