Prime Minister Andy Burnham should publish all details of his meetings with Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and declare all hospitality accepted at the Etihad Stadium, according to the Liberal Democrats.
The call follows criticism of Mr Burnham this week for stating he would be “really concerned” if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club. This comment came after an independent commission found the club breached the Premier League’s financial rules. Downing Street issued two clarifications of his position on Thursday, with a spokesperson for the Prime Minister insisting the guilty verdict against Manchester City is “serious”.
Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson for culture, media and sport, has drafted a letter to the Prime Minister, criticising his defence of City as “extraordinary”. Ms Sabine told the Guardian that the Prime Minister’s ties to ADUG should be examined, and she plans to write to Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to demand details of their meetings.
Manchester City confirmed on Friday that they have lodged an appeal against the guilty verdict, claiming the commission’s decision contained “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe”.