Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s interactions with Manchester City’s owners have been made public by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The disclosure reveals that Burnham met the club’s chairman, Khaldoon al‑Mubarak, at a UK government‑sponsored global investment summit in October 2021 and later attended a testimonial match for Vincent Kompany in September 2019, where he spoke with al‑Mubarak in the stands. The GMCA confirmed that these meetings were declared in the usual manner and that Burnham, in his mayoral capacity, was a guest of the club at a few home games. In addition, representatives from Manchester United, Lancashire Cricket Club and other local sporting bodies were routinely included in business delegations organised by the mayor during overseas visits to places such as Austin, Dublin, India, China and Japan.
The revelations come amid a broader scrutiny of Manchester City’s ownership. The club was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, a verdict the club has denied and appealed. Burnham, who served as mayor until 2023, had previously expressed concern that the club’s Abu Dhabi owners might sell the team following the ruling, describing them as “a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester.” After the disclosure, Downing Street clarified that the prime minister had made it clear the judgment was serious and that those responsible for any wrongdoing should face consequences.
Shadow sports minister Louie French reacted to the release, accusing Burnham of lacking transparency. French said the disclosure was “far from the full transparency that football fans deserve” and called on Burnham to explain what was discussed in the meetings. He criticised the former mayor’s “bizarre intervention in defence of Man City’s owners” and urged him to come clean so the public could form their own opinions. The GMCA spokesperson noted that the meetings were part of routine mayoral duties and that representatives from local clubs had previously joined similar delegations. The next steps will see the GMCA and the government monitor how the disclosed information is used and whether further inquiries into the relationship between the mayor and the club are warranted.