Man City must face ‘appropriate consequences’ if wrongdoing proven, says Number 10

Manchester City must face the “appropriate consequences” if wrongdoing is established, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, as criticism continued over the prime minister’s comments about the club’s owners.

The statement came a day after Burnham said he would be “really concerned” if Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners were to sell the club.

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

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

His comments were made in response to media speculation that the case could eventually result in a change of ownership.

“I would be really concerned to lose them,” Burnham said.

The remarks prompted strong criticism from opposition politicians, who questioned whether his intervention risked undermining the independence of the process.

Shadow sports minister Louie French said the government must “keep politics out of football” and ensure the independent commission was protected from “outside influence”.

In response to the backlash, a Number 10 spokesperson said Burnham had made clear that the case 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,” the spokesperson said.

“He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process.

“It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome be respected. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.”

City have until Friday to appeal against the ruling.

French, a Conservative MP, said Burnham’s comments could lead supporters to question whether political pressure was being brought to bear on 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.”