From BBC News · · 1m 20s
Man City Not Above Rules, Says Downing Street
Downing Street clarifies Manchester City aren't above rules after Burnham's comments.
In brief
Downing Street clarifies Manchester City aren't above rules after Burnham's comments. Downing Street states Manchester City are not above Premier League financial rules despite Andy Burnham's remarks. Originally reported by BBC News.
Downing Street response
Downing Street said Manchester City are not 'above the rules' after Andy Burnham's comments about the club's breaches of Premier League financial rules.
“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'”
Burnham's stance
Andy Burnham said he would be 'really concerned' if Manchester City's owners sold the club after being found guilty of most of the 115 Premier League financial charges.
“I would be really concerned to lose them. They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester”
Tory criticism
Tories accused Burnham of 'publicly backing the owners' even as the investigation continues and questioned whether political pressure was being applied.
“Burnham is publicly backing the owners even as the investigation continues. Fans will rightly ask whether political pressure is being applied here”
Abu Dhabi funding claim
Manchester City plan to argue key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, not the club's owners, as part of their appeal.
“City were expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government”
Premier League findings
The Premier League says Manchester City 'systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade' through 'sham contracts' worth over £830m.
“City arranged 'sham contracts' with a number of commercial partners as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of more than £830m”
Independent regulator
The Independent Football Regulator will assess Manchester City's owners for suitability and use powers to ensure the case remains independent of political influence.
“The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate”
Next steps
Manchester City have until Friday to submit an appeal while the independent panel holds a sanctions hearing to decide potential punishments like fines or points deductions.
“The independent panel that found City guilty of rule breaches will hold a sanctions hearing, which could take months to convene, to decide the punishment”
In short
Downing Street states Manchester City are not above Premier League financial rules despite Andy Burnham's remarks.
