Andy Burnham pledges full disclosure as Man City face appeal
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on 11 October 2026 he will publish every detail of his mayoral dealings with Manchester City after a wave of criticism over his earlier support for the club’s owners, who were recently found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, urged the prime minister to publish “everything” related to his work with the club during his time as Greater Manchester mayor.
City’s financial breaches
Manchester City were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations over the period between 2009 and 2018.
An independent commission said the club arranged “sham” commercial deals with sponsors, part of a disguised funding scheme funded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, and that more than £830m was secretly funneled into football operations.
The club has denied wrongdoing, lodged an appeal against the verdict and, despite the finding, remains top of the Premier League table, though it could be expelled if the original decision is upheld.
Liverpool fans attack City with 'cheaters' flags
Political fallout and Burnham’s promise
Last month the prime minister faced a huge outcry after saying he would be “really concerned” if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club, praising them as a “huge partner in the building of modern Manchester”. He was later pictured in 2019 talking with City chairman Khaldoon al‑Mubarak, and Downing Street clarified that the judgment is serious and any proven wrongdoing must be dealt with.
Speaking on the Rest is Politics podcast, Burnham said he will “put out there” everything he did while mayor, noting that only one significant meeting took place in 2021 and that football issues are separate from investment matters.
Shadow sports minister Louie French called for Burnham to “come clean” about any contacts since becoming prime minister, demanding that the prime minister publish every contact with Manchester City and explain his intervention, while urging Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy to answer his questions.
Massive protest as City take on Liverpool after financial ruling
Manchester City returned to action on Sunday, beating Liverpool 3‑0 at Anfield – their first match since the guilty verdict – showing the club can continue to compete while the appeal proceeds.