Andy Burnham has been urged to share details of his meeting with Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and publish what hospitality he has received at the Etihad Stadium.
The Liberal Democrats are pressing the Prime Minister to reveal the full details after he came under widespread criticism this week for defending the ADUG despite an independent commission finding that City had breached Premier League financial rules.
The Prime Minister said he would be “really concerned” if the ownership group was compelled to sell the club – remarks that prompted Downing Street to issue two separate clarifications on Thursday.
Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrats’ culture, media and sport spokeswoman, said the Prime Minister’s links to ADUG warrant proper scrutiny.
She intends to write to both Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) seeking full details of their interactions.
“Football fans up and down the country deserve to know that the rules apply to everyone, however rich and powerful they are.
“When the Prime Minister leaps to the defence of a club’s owners within hours of a verdict, people are entitled to ask what their relationship is.
“Andy Burnham must come clean and publish details of every meeting and conversation he has had with City Football Group, Abu Dhabi United Group or UAE Government representatives, going back to his time as mayor and that includes any hospitality freebies received,” she told The Guardian.
Andy Burnham is facing calls to share details of meetings with Manchester City owners
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PA
The full scope of that hospitality remains uncertain, though GMCA rules mean gift declarations for serving officeholders are publicly accessible without requiring a freedom of information request.
Since entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister has not attended any City fixtures but has been present at two Everton matches at Hill Dickinson Stadium, sitting in the directors’ box rather than using his South Stand season ticket.
Manchester City confirmed they have lodged an appeal against the commission’s ruling, reiterating that the verdict “contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe”.
City said: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter.
PICTURED: Andy Burnham with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in 2019 | GETTY“The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
Manchester City confirmed they had lodged an appeal after being found guilty of breaching Premier League rules
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PACity’s appeal comes after the commission ruled on allegations covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons.
It found the club had breached financial rules, including through sponsorship arrangements it described as part of a “disguised funding scheme”.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing.
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