UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has clarified his position on Manchester City’s financial rule case after his comments about the club’s owners sparked criticism.
Burnham had said he would be “really concerned” if Manchester City’s owners decided to sell the club, describing them as major contributors to the development of modern Manchester and the transformation of the club into a global football force.
The comments drew criticism from opposition politicians, with Conservative shadow sports minister Louie French urging the government to “keep politics out of football” and questioning whether political influence could affect the ongoing case.
Downing Street has now stressed that Manchester City and those involved in the case are not above the rules.
“As the Prime Minister made clear, the initial judgement is serious and there can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules,” a No 10 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 respected.
“Wherever wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.”
Burnham, who previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester, had also made clear that he was not involved in the case and said it would be wrong to reach conclusions while Manchester City continues to challenge the findings.
An independent commission recently found Manchester City guilty of the majority of the 115 financial rule charges brought against the club.
The Premier League said the commission found that the club had systematically breached its financial rules over a nine-season period. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing and has the right to appeal the findings.
Among the findings were allegations that the club used what the commission described as “sham” contracts involving commercial partners as part of arrangements that artificially increased reported revenue and reduced costs.
The Premier League said the arrangements resulted in more than £900 million being artificially added to revenues or removed from costs during the period examined, while reports on the findings put the amount of disguised funding involved at more than £830 million.
The commission also found that Manchester City submitted accounts that did not accurately reflect its financial position and breached spending limits under Premier League and UEFA rules.
The club was also found to have breached its obligations to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation, with three of four alleged breaches upheld.
Manchester City has until Friday to formally appeal the commission’s findings.
If the findings remain in place, a separate sanctions hearing will determine what punishment the club could face. Possible sanctions under Premier League rules include financial penalties, points deductions and other sporting measures.
The case remains ongoing, with the final outcome dependent on the appeal process and subsequent sanctions proceedings.
Source: BBC/Premier League
