Premier League clubs have expressed concern over possible political interference in Manchester City’s appeal against findings that the club breached financial rules.
Sources told BBC Sport that senior club officials were “astonished” by Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments that he would be “really concerned” if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club.
The remarks have reportedly raised fears that political pressure could undermine the independence of the appeals process.
Burnham, under scrutiny over his past relationship with Manchester’s Gulf-backed investment, denied downplaying the verdict, insisting that the findings must be treated seriously and that the process should remain fully independent.
Manchester City continues to deny wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict of the independent. A separate independent appeal board is expected to hear the club’s case.
