UK prime minister Andy Burnham would be concerned to lose Manchester Citys Abu-Dhabi-based owners if they were forced out after the club was found guilty of 114 breaches of financial regulations. City were found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League, which confirmed the decision by an independent commission in a statement on Tuesday.Among the breaches were the creation of sham contracts to help inflate revenue and reduce costs by more than �900m over nine years covering the 2009-10 season to the 2017-18 campaign.City have until Friday, October 2, to appeal, and will exercise their right to do so. They could eventually take the case as far as the High Court and claim the process was not impartial.A points deduction that effectively relegates City from the Premier League to the Championship is viewed as a likely punishment, while a transfer ban and a massive fine are also distinct possibilities.The prospect of expulsion from the Premier League, which could see the club doomed to non-league if the EFL refuses to accept them as a member, has also been raised. However, a motion on expulsion would require 15 of the 20 Premier League clubs to vote in favour to pass.The Independent Football Regulator, set up by the UK government in 2025, said Citys case raised serious issues and indicated it would explore its options, including the possibility of stripping the owners of their licence to own the club once the appeal process reaches its conclusion.In an interview with the BBC, Burnham, an Everton fan, referenced their points deduction for a breach of the Premier Leagues Profit and Sustainability Rules in 2024. The Toffees were originally docked 10 points, but that was reduced to six on appeal.I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time, and you know, with hindsight, I think more people would say that wasnt fair the way that was handled, Burnham said. So it would be wrong of me to leap to one side given the experience that Id had before becoming prime minister.The former Mayor of Manchester also praised the City Football Group, the subsidiary that runs the club and is 81 percent owned by Abu Dhabi United Group, for its impact on the local area.I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didnt just put into the Etihad and the campus around it but also into the city, he added.I would be really concerned to lose them. Theyve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester. Obviously, the building ofManchester Cityinto the global force that it is.I cant intervene more in the process. It would be wrong for me to do that. It would be wrong, I think, to jump to a conclusion before having really studied all of the detail, but obviously its ongoing, and because its still contested by Manchester City, then I think its right that I dont say much more.I have to keep my distance from it. It would be wrong for me to do anything else. Its an independent legal process that has to play its course through.So for the reasons I gave at the start, you know, I was involved in one myself in relation toEverton. I think its frustrating when people rush to judgment and proclaim people guilty. I think the thing has to be allowed to run its course. Topics Manchester City F.C. Premier League Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Klopp far from preparing for a title after Man City guilty verdicts Nicholas McGee 30th September, 2026 Ruben Dias asked about Manchester City uncertainty and defends Cristiano Ronaldo from accusations of selfishness Jon Fisher 30th September, 2026 Pep Guardiola says he is behind my owner and my chairman after Manchester City found guilty of financial doping Jon Fisher 30th September, 2026 Rio Ngumoha: Why the Liverpool forward will save club �130 million and has a really big chance this season Ben Miller 29th September, 2026 BREAKING: Manchester City found guilty of all 115 Premier League charges after creating sham contracts worth �900m Mitch Fretton 29th September, 2026 Wayne Rooney rubbishes claims Manchester United should be handed 2012 winners medals and says I wouldnt want one Jon Fisher 29th September, 2026
