PM expresses concern if Man City owners sell after rule breaches

Summarised from 10 outlets · 21 reports · Updated 2 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be 'really concerned' if Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners decided to sell the club in the wake of its guilty verdict on multiple breaches of Premier League financial rules. An independent commission found that the club had inflated its revenue and hidden costs through a series of 'sham' commercial deals over a nine-season period, involving approximately £900m of financial manipulation. The club's officials have denied any wrongdoing and are set to appeal against the decision.

Burnham praised City's owners as a 'huge partner' in building modern Manchester, citing their investment in the club and city. His comments were made as the club faces potential sanctions including a substantial fine and possible relegation from the Premier League, depending on the outcome of their appeal.

Burnham's statement has triggered widespread criticism from across politics and football. Critics have described his response as 'tone-deaf' and 'out of touch', given the severity of the rule breaches. Some observers have characterised his position as conflicting with a pressing need to change rules concerning state ownership. The comments have also revived tensions between the Prime Minister and the Premier League, with government officials reported to be unhappy they were not given advance notice of the independent commission's judgment.

Following the backlash, Downing Street issued clarifications of Burnham's position. The Liberal Democrats have since called on Burnham to publish details of all his meetings with Manchester City's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, and to declare all hospitality he has accepted at the Etihad Stadium. Burnham has also been forced to clarify his earlier statements after the initial angry response to his remarks.

How it is being reported

• Tell us about all your meetings with Manchester City’s owners, Andy Burnham urgedThe prime minister was roundly criticised this week after he said he would be ‘really concerned’ if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club in the wake of City being found to have breached the Premier League’s financial rulesThe Independent · 2 Oct, 16:47
• I have covered the Man City scandal from the start – this is how it changed football and meThe Man City case has turned football upside down and touched other industries, including politics after prime minister Andy Burnham’s comments, but, as Miguel Delaney details after years of reporting on the scandal, the story has changed the sport and those covering itIndependent Sport · 2 Oct, 14:36
• Andy Burnham told by Lib Dems to reveal all meetings with owners of Manchester CityBurnham also urged to declare City stadium hospitality PM said he would be concerned if owners forced to sell Andy Burnham is facing calls from the Liberal Democrats to publish details of all his meetings with Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and declare all hospitality he has accepted at the Etihad Stadium. The prime minister was widely criticised this week for saying he would be “really concerned” if ADUG were forced to sell City after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations, which led to Downing Street issuing two…Guardian World · 2 Oct, 14:00
• Chris Mason: Why Andy Burnham's about-turn on Manchester City mattersThe prime minister's comments on Man City were revealing on several levels - and leapt on by many in football.BBC Politics · 1 Oct, 23:22
• No.10 issues statement after Andy Burnham slammed for 'backing' Man City ownersAndy 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 rulesThe Mirror · 1 Oct, 19:46
• Downing Street clarifies Andy Burnham’s contentious comments on Man City caseBurnham said he would be “really concerned” if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club in the wake of being found to have breached the Premier League’s financial rulesIndependent Sport · 1 Oct, 18:31
• Bungling Andy Burnham is criticised for ANOTHER error in attempting to clarify his statement on Man City case after being called out for 'tone-deaf' response following 'concern' over losing Abu Dhabi ownersBurnham's claim that he would be 'really concerned' if City's owners were to sell the club after it was found guilty of serious breaches of the financial regulations has been hit by widespread criticism.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Oct, 18:13
• How Man City’s owners wooed Andy Burnham, from property deals to football chatsThe former Manchester mayor praised the club's owners for their investment in the region, saying he was 'concerned' they might leave the UK over cheating caseThe i Paper · 1 Oct, 17:37
• Andy Burnham Forced Into Climbdown After Row Over Manchester City CommentsAndy Burnham with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak in 2019. Andy Burnham has been forced to clarify his views on Manchester City after he triggered an angry backlash by saying he was “really concerned” the club’s owners could quit English football. The prime minister gave his views after City were found guilty of multiple breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. Club officials have denied any wrongdoing and are set to appeal against the decision, which was handed down by an independent commission. If they lose, they face a massive fine and possible relegation from the…HuffPost UK · 1 Oct, 17:12
• Andy Burnham’s Manchester City comments stir fresh tensions with Premier LeagueGovernment said to be unhappy at lack of warning Burnham previously criticised league’s Everton sanction Andy Burnham’s intervention in the Manchester City debate has revived tensions between the Premier League and the prime minister. Government officials are understood to be unhappy they were not given notice that the independent commission’s damning judgment of £900m of financial manipulation and “sham contracts” would be published this week, and Burnham’s response has not gone down well with several Premier League clubs concerned by his relationship with City’s owners. Continue reading...Guardian Football · 1 Oct, 16:40
• Burnham's Man City comments 'completely out of touch', Tories sayThe prime minister said he would be "really concerned" if the club's owners sell up after Premier League rule breaches.BBC Politics · 1 Oct, 16:27
• Man City’s ship is sinking. Burnham doesn’t need to go down with itSimon Kelner: The Prime Minister's 'concern' was a glimmer of light for fans like me, but he should steer clear of the sagaThe i Paper · 1 Oct, 15:16
• Why Andy Burnham has got it wrong on Man City’s Abu Dhabi ownersAndy Burnham confessed he would be ‘really concerned’ if Man City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold but, as Miguel Delaney writes, the prime minister’s view clashes with those inside football and a pressing need to change the rules concerning state ownershipIndependent Sport · 1 Oct, 13:23
• Burnham ‘really concerned’ if Man City’s UAE owners sell club after breaking rulesThe U.K. prime minister — and former Greater Manchester mayor — praises the under-fire Premier League club's Emirati ownership as "huge partner" in building up the city.Politico Europe · 1 Oct, 10:35
• Andy Burnham slammed for 'tone deaf' Man City statement after Prime Minister shared 'concern' at losing Abu Dhabi owners who have 'been a huge partner in building modern Manchester'Andy Burnham's claim that he would be 'really concerned' if Man City's owners were to sell the club has been hit by widespread criticism.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Oct, 09:53
• Andy Burnham Criticised Over His 'Concern' Manchester City Owners Could Quit English FootballAndy Burnham with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak in 2019. Andy Burnham has been criticised for expressing sympathy for Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners after the club was found guilty of multiple breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. The prime minister said he “would be really concerned to lose them” if they decided to sell up in the wake of the row. An independent commission found the club had inflated its revenue and hidden costs through a series of “sham” commercial deals over a nine-season period. The findings could see City hit with a massive points…HuffPost UK · 1 Oct, 06:54
• Andy Burnham reveals Man City sale 'concern' as Independent Football Regulator weighs optionsPrime Minister thanks City’s owners for investment in the club and city despite Tuesday’s bombshell guilty verdictEvening Standard · 30 Sept, 19:39
• Andy Burnham admits concern Man City owners will be forced to SELL after being found guilty of overseeing £900m 'sham': Prime Minister praises their investment into the cityAndy Burnham has said he would be 'really concerned' if Manchester City's owners decided to sell the club in the wake of their guilty verdict of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules.Daily Mail Sport · 30 Sept, 18:38
• PM: I'd be 'really concerned' if Man City owners sell clubThe Prime Minister has responded following the recent Manchester City charges.BBC Politics · 30 Sept, 18:24
• PM Burnham 'really concerned' if Man City owners sell up after rule breachesSky Sports Football · 30 Sept, 18:12
• Burnham 'really concerned' if Man City owners sell up after rule breachesThe prime minister compares the allegations against Man City to the plight of his own club Everton.BBC Politics · 30 Sept, 17:01

In this story: Andy Burnham · Manchester City · Abu Dhabi United Group · Premier League · Manchester

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