Burnham ‘really concerned’ if Man City owners sell up after rule breaches

Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester and current Prime Minister, has expressed significant concern over the possibility of Manchester City's owners selling the club following a recent guilty verdict for breaching Premier League financial rules. The independent commission found the club responsible for most of the 115 charges against it, a decision that City intends to contest through an appeal.

Burnham, in an interview with the BBC, stated that he would be "really concerned" to see the owners part with the club they have been such a significant partner in developing over the past nine years. The club, led by Sheikh Mansour, has contributed extensively to Manchester's development, including the construction of the Etihad Stadium and the surrounding area.

The Independent Football Regulator, appointed by the government in 2025, has also voiced serious concerns over the case, suggesting they may explore stripping the owners of their licence to own the club once the disciplinary process concludes. The league and City are now facing a period of uncertainty, with potential penalties ranging from hefty fines to expulsion from the Premier League, and even the stripping of the trophies won during the affected period.

Burnham's comments followed widespread shock and controversy surrounding the magnitude of the commission's findings.