ANDY BURNHAM BREAKS SILENCE ON MAN CITY VERDICT — ‘I’D BE REALLY CONCERNED’ IF OWNERS WERE FORCED OUT

Andy Burnham has refused to take sides in the escalating Manchester City scandal — but admitted he would be “really concerned” if the club’s current owners were ultimately forced to leave.

Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission of 114 of 115 charges relating to Premier League financial rules across the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. The commission found that the club had used “sham” commercial arrangements and misstated financial information, while City continue to deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal.

The verdict has now moved beyond the footballing world, with attention turning toward potential sanctions and the future of the club’s ownership.

BURNHAM SAYS HE MUST ‘KEEP HIS DISTANCE’

Speaking to the BBC, Burnham was asked about the developing case and the possibility that Manchester City’s owners could come under further scrutiny.

His response was deliberately cautious.

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

“It would be wrong, I think, to jump to a conclusion before having really studied all of the detail.”

Burnham said the matter remained contested by City and insisted that the independent process should be allowed to continue.

“I have to keep my distance from it,” he added.

“It would be wrong for me to do anything else. It’s an independent legal process that has to play its course through.”

‘I WOULD BE REALLY CONCERNED TO LOSE THEM’

Despite his refusal to comment on the merits of the case, Burnham was more forthcoming when discussing the impact Manchester City’s ownership has had on the city itself.

Having previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he has had direct dealings with the club’s ownership and the wider City Football Group.

He pointed to investment around the Etihad Stadium and the club’s wider campus, as well as contributions to Manchester itself.

“I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn’t just put into the Etihad and the campus around it but also into the city,” he said.

He then delivered his strongest comment on the future of the owners.

“I would be really concerned to lose them. They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester.”

Burnham also acknowledged the transformation of Manchester City into a global footballing force during the same period.

THE EVERTON EXPERIENCE IS SHAPING HIS APPROACH

Burnham also drew on his previous experience defending Everton during their own Premier League financial controversy.

The Prime Minister, an Everton supporter, recalled the reaction to the club’s six-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

“I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time,” he said.

“And, you know, with hindsight, I think more people would say that wasn’t fair the way that was handled.”

That experience, Burnham suggested, was one reason he did not want to rush to judgment over City.

“I think it’s frustrating when people rush to judgment and proclaim people guilty,” he said.

“I think the thing has to be allowed to run its course.”

CITY’S NEXT MOVE COULD DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS

The commission’s findings cover a nine-season period and include serious financial-rule breaches, with the Premier League confirming that City arranged commercial agreements that misrepresented the true arrangements and artificially inflated revenue while reducing costs.

The club has strongly maintained its innocence and has until October 2 to submit its appeal against the findings. Sanctions have not yet been decided.

That leaves the most consequential part of the case still ahead.

For Burnham, however, the message is clear: whatever happens next, he does not intend to interfere.

He has acknowledged the enormous role City’s ownership has played in Manchester while simultaneously insisting that the legal and regulatory process must be allowed to reach its own conclusion.

And as the appeal deadline approaches, the question of what ultimately happens to Manchester City — and potentially its ownership — remains firmly unresolved.