Andy Burnham says he would be 'really concerned' if Manchester City lost owners after guilty verdicts

Andy Burnham said in Manchester on 30 September 2026 that he would be "really concerned" to lose Manchester City's owners after an independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules; the comment came as the Independent Football Regulator confirmed it has the power to investigate ownership following a damning judgment over £900m of sham contracts.

The commission's findings over the £900m scheme have prompted official scrutiny of the Abu Dhabi United Group's suitability to own an English club, according to the regulator, and the prime minister praised City’s owners for investing billions of pounds into Manchester. Local leaders have acknowledged the scale of that investment into the Etihad and surrounding campus, while national economic ties with Abu Dhabi — described in reporting as worth around £30bn a year — were cited as part of the wider context to any disciplinary response.

Burnham expressed explicit concern about the prospect of the owners being removed, saying: "I would be really concerned to lose them," and adding: "They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester, and the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is. "I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn't just put into the Etihad and the campus around it but also into the city."

At the same time, Burnham set out limits to his role in the matter and referred to his past campaigning on behalf of Everton after their 2023 punishment. He said: "I can't 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 it's ongoing, and because it's still contested by Manchester City, then I think it's right that I don't say much more. "Everton was in this position a few years ago and you might remember that I fought for Everton in that situation. I still hold the view very firmly that they weren't fairly treated in that process. I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time and, with hindsight, I think more people would say that wasn't fair the way that was handled."

The Independent Football Regulator's chief executive, David Kogan, confirmed the IFR is monitoring the City case and indicated the regulator could use its powers where appropriate. Kogan said: "The independent commission's decision raises serious issues," and added: "The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals."

Kogan also made clear how the IFR would approach material from the leagues and the ongoing legal position, stating: "This includes taking account of findings made by the leagues. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments."