Burnham insists he did not downplay Man City verdict as Premier League clubs voice concern over political interference

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has denied downplaying the seriousness of Manchester City’s Premier League guilty verdict, after rival clubs expressed alarm at what they perceived as political interference in the case.

City were found to have breached the Premier League’s financial rules on 114 occasions between 2009 and 2018 — a finding that has sent shockwaves through English football. The club strongly deny the charges, as they have since they were first levelled in February 2023, and have launched an appeal.

Burnham’s initial public response drew swift criticism, with detractors accusing him of siding with City’s Abu Dhabi ownership group — with whom he had worked closely during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he vacated earlier this year. His first comments to the BBC included the remark: “I would be really concerned to lose them. They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester.”

Downing Street subsequently issued a clarifying statement, but according to BBC Sport, Premier League clubs remained “astonished” and “concerned” about potential political interference in what is meant to be an independent disciplinary process.

Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Burnham sought to draw a clearer line. “I haven’t downplayed the seriousness of the findings,” he said. “They are findings that need to be considered with great care and seriousness, and then the process that considers them needs to be fully independent. I said that last week and I’ll repeat it again today. I think it’s incumbent on everybody now to let the process run its course.”

He also called for a distinction between the football governance issues and broader economic considerations. “I think it’s important to separate the football issues from wider investment. The football issues have to be looked at fully and that is without question.”

The Downing Street statement, which was later amended to replace “if wrongdoing is established” with “whenever wrongdoing is established”, read: “The Prime Minister made clear the initial judgement is serious and there can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules. It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected. Those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.”

Burnham also said he expects his past dealings with City’s ownership to withstand scrutiny, though the episode has raised fresh questions about the intersection of political relationships and football’s regulatory independence at the highest level.