Downing Street contradicts Burnham after PM expresses concern over Man City owners selling

Downing Street has issued a firm statement insisting Manchester City must “face the appropriate consequences” if their appeal fails, directly contradicting Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s earlier expression of concern that the club’s owners might sell following the guilty verdict.

An independent panel found City guilty of 114 financial charges, a decision confirmed by the Premier League on Tuesday. The findings included the damning conclusion that the club had “arranged sham contracts”, allowing them to cut costs by approximately £900 million.

Burnham had told the BBC he would be “really concerned” to lose City’s owners, describing them as “such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.” The remarks drew immediate criticism given the scale and seriousness of the charges.

No.10’s official response struck a markedly different tone. A spokesperson said: “As 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.”

City have until Friday to submit their appeal against the panel’s findings. While the initial verdict could be overturned on appeal, a separate sanctions hearing is still scheduled to take place regardless. Potential punishments range from a financial penalty to relegation from the Premier League.

Demotion as far as League Two has not been ruled out. The Premier League and the EFL previously worked in tandem to impose a combined punishment on Leicester City, and that precedent appears to have opened a similar pathway in City’s case.

The investigation itself dates back to 2019, when the Premier League first launched its inquiry into the club’s finances.