Calls have emerged from the Liberal Democrats for Andy Burnham to disclose the details of all his meetings with the owners of Manchester City, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and to reveal any hospitality he has accepted at the Etihad Stadium.
This week, Burnham faced significant backlash after he expressed concern over the potential sale of Manchester City if ADUG were found guilty of violating Premier League financial regulations. This prompted Downing Street to issue two clarifications regarding his remarks on Thursday.
During his tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, which concluded when he returned to parliament this summer, Burnham maintained a close relationship with ADUG, particularly since Sheikh Mansour acquired the club in 2008. He has publicly acknowledged ADUG’s contributions to the city.
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Burnham, Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson for culture, media, and sport, condemned his defense of the club as “extraordinary.” She referenced the failed World Cup sell-off initiative by Gianni Infantino, highlighting the challenging year football has faced.
“As you may know, an independent commission has determined that Manchester City is guilty of 114 charges related to financial misconduct spanning nearly a decade, including the use of ‘sham contracts’ and efforts to obscure over £830 million in funding,” Sabine stated in a letter reviewed by the Guardian.
“In light of these findings, your response was to express gratitude to the club’s owners and label the findings as ‘contested,’ asserting it was ‘wrong to jump to a conclusion.’ It is remarkable that a prime minister would question the outcomes of an independent investigation, potentially undermining public confidence in the integrity of the Premier League’s procedures.”
Sabine further commented that Burnham’s affiliations with ADUG warrant examination and indicated her intention to reach out to both Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) for information regarding their meetings.
“Football supporters across the nation deserve assurance that regulations are enforced uniformly, regardless of wealth or influence,” Sabine remarked. “When the prime minister rushes to defend a club’s ownership shortly after a verdict, it raises legitimate questions about their relationship.”
She urged Burnham to be transparent by disclosing all meetings and conversations he has had with representatives from the City Football Group, ADUG, or the UAE government, dating back to his time as mayor, including any hospitality received.
Burnham, an Everton supporter, has been seen at Manchester City matches in hospitality sections at the Etihad Stadium. However, the extent of this hospitality remains unclear, as GMCA regulations allow current officeholders to not disclose gifts publicly unless a freedom of information request is made.
Although Burnham has not attended a Manchester City game since assuming the role of prime minister, he has participated in two Everton matches at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where he was hosted in the directors’ box despite holding a season ticket in the South Stand.
On Friday, Manchester City announced that they have appealed the findings of the independent commission. They reiterated their belief that the verdict “contains clear material errors, of law, principle, and fact, and is unsafe.”
