Downing Street clarifies government position on Manchester City case after Burnham comments

Downing Street has issued a statement reaffirming that the independent process into Manchester City must be allowed to continue, following criticism of comments made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the club and its owners.

A No 10 spokesperson said the initial judgment was serious and insisted that nobody could be considered above the rules. The statement was reported by senior BBC journalist Henry Zeffman on Thursday.

“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 the independent process is still ongoing. It is essential that it is allowed to complete its course and that the outcome is respected. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible must face the appropriate consequences.”

The statement followed remarks by Burnham on Wednesday in which he said he would be “extremely concerned” if Manchester City’s Emirati owners decided to sell the club. He also praised the investment made since the takeover in 2008.

Burnham said at the same time that he did not want to interfere with the disciplinary process, which remains subject to appeal.

The Premier League recently announced that an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty of all the charges relating to financial rule breaches over nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The club was also found guilty of three of four alleged breaches relating to its failure to co-operate with the investigation.

According to the Premier League, the commission concluded that Manchester City had used sham commercial contracts as part of a scheme to artificially increase the club’s revenue and reduce its costs by more than £900m.

Manchester City rejected the commission’s findings and maintained its innocence. The club said it would appeal, arguing that there had been “material errors” in law, principle and fact.

The appeal represents the next stage of the case. It could be heard by a new three-person panel, while Manchester City does not have the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Recent reports have suggested that the process could take several months. Potential sanctions and the wider sporting and legal consequences therefore remain unresolved.

Burnham’s comments attracted criticism from political and sporting figures, particularly because he previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming Prime Minister. His remarks also highlighted the importance he places on the continuation of investment by Manchester City’s owners in the region.