Man City not 'above the rules', says No 10 after backlash to Burnham remarks
Downing Street has clarified that Manchester City is not 'above the rules' following controversial remarks by Andy Burnham regarding the club's financial breaches. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for the independent process to run its course, while the club prepares to argue that sponsorship deals were government-funded.
Why it matters
The intervention by the UK government highlights the political sensitivity and high-stakes nature of the Manchester City financial investigation.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (left) chats to Andy Burnham in 2019 at the Etihad Stadium, when he was mayor of Greater Manchester
Downing Street has said Manchester City are not "above the rules" after Andy Burnham was criticised for his comments about the club's breaches of Premier League financial rules.
The prime minister said on Wednesday he would be "really concerned" if the club's owners decided to sell up after City were found guilty by an independent commission of most of the 115 charges they faced.
His remarks were branded "completely out of touch" and "extraordinary" by the Tories and took many in the football community by surprise.
In a statement following the backlash, Downing Street said the PM had made clear "the initial judgement is serious and there can't be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules".
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