Story perspectives

Burnham to publish Manchester City owner meetings in 2026

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 2:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will publish his meetings with Manchester City’s owners in October 2026.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority said Burnham’s only significant meeting with the club’s chairman was in October 2021.
An independent commission found Manchester City breached 114 Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Sports Minister Louie French urged Burnham to release club contacts since becoming prime minister.

History

Historical Context

In 2000 ITV Digital signed a £315 million TV rights deal, collapsed in 2002 owing the Football League £180 million and pushed many clubs into financial crisis. The crisis spurred the 2003 proposal and 2004 adoption of a ten-point deduction and fit-and-proper test, applied when Leeds United entered administration in 2006 with roughly £30 million debt. Those rules now underpin calls for political transparency over Manchester City contacts.

1 of 2

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will publish his meetings with Manchester City’s owners in October 2026.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority said Burnham’s only significant meeting with the club’s chairman was in October 2021.
An independent commission found Manchester City breached 114 Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Sports Minister Louie French urged Burnham to release club contacts since becoming prime minister.

1 / 2