UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted that he did not "play down" the seriousness of Manchester City's guilty verdict, after the club were found to have violated Premier League financial regulations on 114 occasions between 2009 and 2018. The ruling has sent shockwaves through English football.
City strongly dispute the charges, as they have done since they were first brought against them in February 2023, and the club have filed an appeal.
Burnham's initial remarks on the case drew criticism, with the Prime Minister accused of favouring City's Abu Dhabi ownership group given his previous working relationship with them during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he left earlier this year.
Downing Street issued a statement in response to the backlash, but that did not stop Premier League clubs described as "astonished" from voicing "concern" about possible political interference, according to BBC Sport.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Burnham addressed the controversy directly, per The Mirror. "I haven't downplayed the seriousness of the findings," he said. "They are findings that need to be considered with great care and seriousness, and then the process that considers them needs to be fully independent."
He added: "I said that last week and I'll repeat it again today. I think it's incumbent on everybody now to let the process run its course. I think it's important to separate the football issues from wider investment. The football issues have to be looked at fully and that is without question."
Burnham's original comments had been made to the BBC, when he said: "I would be really concerned to lose them. They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester. Obviously, the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is."
Downing Street's statement read: "The Prime Minister made clear the initial judgement is serious and there can't be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules. He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process. It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences."
That statement was later amended to say "whenever wrongdoing is established." Burnham also said he expects his dealings with City's bosses during his time as Mayor to stand up to scrutiny.
