Man City not ‘above the rules’, says No 10 after backlash to Burnham remarks

Downing Street has vehemently denied that Manchester City is "above the rules" in light of criticism surrounding Andy Burnham's remarks about the club's alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concern on Wednesday if the club's owners opt to sell up following the independent commission's guilty verdict on most of the 115 charges faced by the football giant.

Tory critics branded Burnham's statements as "completely out of touch" and "extraordinary," leaving many in the football community puzzled. Downing Street clarified in a statement that the prime minister emphasized the seriousness of the initial judgement and the importance of allowing the independent process to run its course before drawing any conclusions.

Moreover, a No 10 spokesperson reiterated that it is crucial to respect the outcome of the investigation, especially when wrongdoing is established. Manchester City maintains their innocence and have until Friday to file an appeal. Among the independent panel's findings, it was revealed that the club arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise secret funding exceeding £830 million.

The Premier League accused City of systematically breaking Premier League Rules for nearly a decade. Burnham stated that he is not directly involved in the process and would be "really concerned" to lose the club, which has been a major partner in building modern Manchester and the global force that City has become since 2008. The Tories accused Burnham of "publicly backing the owners" as the investigation continues, while Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier sought reassurance from the government on potential tax implications arising from the case.