UK prime minister Andy Burnham ‘really concerned’ about losing Man City’s Emirati owners

Andy Burnham has admitted he would be really concerned if the Emirati owners of Manchester City decided to sell the club following their Premier League financial breaches verdict.

The United Kingdom prime minister previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Burnham praised Sheikh Mansour and the City Football Group ownership for their investment in Manchester since taking control of the club in 2008.

An independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.

However, the Cityzens insist they are innocent and are preparing to appeal.

The scale of the findings has raised questions over whether the Abu Dhabi-backed ownership could walk away from the club.

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) can decide the owners aren’t suitable once the disciplinary process concludes.

Asked by the BBC if he would be concerned about City’s owners leaving, Burnham said: “I would be really concerned to lose them.

“They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.”

City’s ownership has invested heavily in the area surrounding the Etihad Stadium, including the club’s football campus, while also funding other projects across Manchester.

Burnham said he was grateful for the contribution made by the City Football Group and its owners, but stressed that he could not intervene in the ongoing case.

“I can’t intervene more in the process,” he added. “It would be wrong for me to do that.”

He also pointed to his previous defence of Everton when the club was punished for breaching financial rules, insisting that experience meant he would not rush to judgment over City.

“I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time and, with hindsight, I think more people would say that wasn’t fair, the way that was handled,” he said.

Man City now face an uncertain period as they prepare their appeal, with the eventual sanction potentially having significant consequences for the club and its owners.