Andy Burnham has said he would be 'really concerned' if Manchester City's owners decided to sell the club in the wake of their guilty verdict of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules.

The Prime Minister also said he wanted to 'thank' the club's owners for the money they have invested in both Manchester City and the city of Manchester, where he previously served as mayor.

As Daily Mail Sport wrote on Monday, Abu Dhabi warned the UK in 2023 that a negative outcome to the 115 charges could damage relations.

The official verdict, released on Tuesday afternoon, found City guilty of all substantive charges brought against them by the Premier League over financial misconduct. It concluded that City had artificially inflated its revenue and reduced its costs by more than £900million through money pumped into the club by its Abu Dhabi owners over a nine-year period.

The chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), which was established by the government last year to protect the financial sustainability of the game following the European Super League revolt, hinted on Wednesday that City's owners could ultimately be removed.

Asked whether he was concerned City's owners could now sell the club, Burnham told BBC News: 'I would be really concerned to lose them.

'They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.

'I can’t intervene more in the process. It would be wrong for me to do that. It would be wrong, I think, to jump to a conclusion before having really studied all of the detail, but obviously it’s ongoing, and because it’s still contested by Manchester City, then I think it’s right that I don’t say much more.'

Burnham, who served as Greater Manchester mayor until June, added: 'I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn't just put into the Etihad (Stadium) and the campus around it but also into the city'.

The club continue to deny any wrongdoing and have until October 2 to submit an appeal.

Burnham was speaking from Hill Dickinson Stadium, the home of Everton, the club he supports. The Toffees have their own history of falling foul of Premier League financial rules, having been charged and deducted 10 points for less serious breaches in November 2023. That punishment was later reduced to six points on appeal.

Burnham said: 'Everton was in this position a few years ago and you might remember that I fought for Everton in that situation because I still hold the view very firmly that they weren't fairly treated in that process.

'I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time and with hindsight I think more people would say that wasn't fair, the way that was handled.

'So it would be wrong of me to leap to one side given the experience that I'd had before becoming prime minister.'

Burnham also said he was confident that his dealings with City's owners during his time as mayor would stand up to scrutiny.

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has placed his faith in the club's hierarchy, insisting he will 'always be behind my club'. There is no suggestion Guardiola was complicit in any financial wrongdoing, although the period covered by the charges overlaps with the first two years of his tenure.

Guardiola, who left City this summer after a trophy-laden decade at the club, wrote on X: 'I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever.

‘I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran (Soriano, CEO), the players, staff, Enzo (Maresca, manager) and you, our unique supporters.

‘Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.’

The IFR and the FA will assess the findings once the sanctioning and appeals process has been completed.

David Kogan, chairman of the IFR, said: 'The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues.

'The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals.

'This includes taking account of findings made by the leagues. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League, we will await further developments.

'We hope it can be resolved quickly for the sake of fans.'