Downing Street has said Manchester City are not "above the rules" after Andy Burnham was criticised for his comments about the club's breaches of Premier League financial rules. The prime minister said on Wednesday he would be "really concerned" if the club's owners decide to sell up after City were found guilty by an independent commission of most of the 115 charges they faced. His remarks were branded "completely out of out of touch" and "extraordinary" by the Tories.
In a statement following the backlash, Downing Street said the PM had made clear "the initial judgement is serious and there can't be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules." A No 10 spokesperson added: "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."
Man City deny any wrongdoing and have until Friday to submit an appeal. Sources told BBC Sport that City are expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government. The independent panel found City arranged "sham contracts" to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. The Premier League said City "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade."
In response, the Tories accused Burnham of "publicly backing the owners even as the investigation continues." Shadow minister Louie French called for the government to "keep politics out of football." Lib Dem MP Anna Sabine said: "Fans of every club deserve to know the rules apply to everyone."
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing