Burnham criticised over comments on Man City owners after rules verdict | OneFootball

Andy Burnham faces Conservative criticism for being out of touch with fans after saying he would be concerned if Manchester City's owners sold the club. His comments followed findings that City breached financial rules on a massive scale.

According to Hounslow Herald, an independent commission found City guilty of most of the 115 charges, including sham contracts hiding more than £830m in funding. The Premier League said City broke rules systematically for nearly a decade. City deny wrongdoing and have until Friday to appeal.

Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester until June, said he would not involve himself and that it would be wrong to jump to conclusions while City contest the findings. He said he would be very concerned to lose the ownership group, led by Sheikh Mansour since 2008.

Shadow sport minister Louie French said politics should stay out of football, arguing fans would question pressure given the owners' investment, and that rules must apply equally.

A sanctions hearing, which could take months, will decide any punishment, potentially a large fine or a points deduction. Both the verdict and any sanction can be appealed. City said they were disappointed and surprised by the findings and maintain their innocence.

Independent Football Regulator chair David Kogan said the case raised serious issues and confirmed the regulator can assess owners' and executives' suitability. Burnham said he is confident his dealings would withstand scrutiny and compared the case to Everton's lesser 2023 breach, saying he believes his club was treated unfairly.

Source: Hounslow Herald

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