Andy Burnham is facing calls from the Liberal Democrats to publish details of all his meetings with Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and declare all hospitality he has accepted at the Etihad Stadium.
The Prime Minister was widely criticised this week for saying he would be “really concerned” if ADUG were forced to sell City after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations. Downing Street issued two clarifications of his position on Thursday.
Anna Sabine, the Lib Dems’ spokesperson for culture, media and sport, stated that Mr Burnham’s ties to ADUG should be scrutinised. She plans to write to Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to request details of meetings. Ms Sabine said that football fans deserve to know that rules apply to everyone, regardless of wealth or power.
Manchester City confirmed on Friday that they have appealed against an independent commission’s verdict. The club reiterated their assessment that the verdict “contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe”.