Prime Minister Andy Burnham insists that he did not 'play down' the seriousness of Manchester City's guilty verdict. City were recently found to have breached the Premier League's financial rules on 114 occasions between 2009 and 2018, and the news has sent shockwaves around English football.
City strongly deny the charges, as they have done since they were first levelled at them in February 2023, and have launched an appeal. Burnham's initial comments drew criticism and he was accused of backing City's Abu Dhabi owners, having dealt with them during his time as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, which came to an end earlier this year.
Downing Street statement and club concerns
Downing Street issued a statement following the backlash, but that didn't stop 'astonished' Premier League clubs from being 'concerned' about potential political interference, according to BBC Sport.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Burnham responded.
"I haven't downplayed the seriousness of the findings," the Prime Minister 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.
"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 initial comments and clarification
Burnham's first comments were made to the BBC, saying: "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 subsequently clarified: "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."
The statement was later tweaked to say: "Whenever wrongdoing is established." Burnham added in his first interview that he expects his dealings with the City chiefs while he was Mayor to stand up to scrutiny.
