Andy Burnham has expressed serious concern at the possibility that Manchester City's owners could walk away from the club following the verdict that found it guilty of breaching the majority of Premier League financial rules levelled against it.

The prime minister described the situation as one that Manchester City continue to contest, and offered praise for the Abu Dhabi-led ownership group — headed by Sheikh Mansour, the United Arab Emirates deputy prime minister and member of the royal family — who took control of the club in 2008.

"I would be really concerned to lose them," Burnham told the BBC on Wednesday. "They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is."

The scale of the findings

An independent commission determined that Manchester City had broken the majority of the Premier League rules they faced charges for, a verdict the club are expected to appeal by their 2 October deadline. City have maintained their innocence, stating they are "both disappointed and surprised" by the commission's opinion.

Among the panel's most damaging findings was that the club arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise covert funding of more than £830 million. The Premier League concluded that City "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade."

A sanctions hearing — which could take months to convene — will determine the punishment. Potential consequences range from a heavy fine or points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League, and could even include being stripped of eight trophies won during the affected period. City retain the right to appeal both the verdicts and any sanction imposed.

Regulator steps in

The Independent Football Regulator, established by the government in 2025, has described the case as raising "serious issues" and said it would examine its options — including whether to revoke the owners' licence to run the club — once the disciplinary process concludes.

Burnham draws on Everton experience

Burnham, who served as mayor of Greater Manchester until June, made his comments at Hill Dickinson Stadium, home of Everton — the club he supports. He was careful to avoid rushing to judgement, drawing on Everton's own experience with Premier League financial rules. Everton were charged and deducted 10 points in November 2023 for breaches considered less severe; that deduction was reduced to six on appeal.

"Everton was in this position a few years ago and you might remember that I fought for Everton in that situation because I still hold the view very firmly that they weren't fairly treated in that process," he said.

Burnham acknowledged that much is at stake for Manchester City's fans, the club, and the city of Manchester itself, but stressed that direct government intervention would be inappropriate. He said it is "frustrating when people rush to judgement," and confirmed he was "of course" confident his own dealings with the club's ownership during his time as mayor would withstand scrutiny.