UK prime minister's ties with Manchester City leadership revealed
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has released information regarding UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's ties with Manchester City board chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak during his tenure as regional mayor.
Operativ Media reports that in October 2021, Burnham held an official meeting with Al Mubarak during the UK government’s Global Investment Summit. In September 2019, the two also held an informal conversation in the stands during Vincent Kompany's testimonial match.
Burnham also attended several Manchester City home matches at the club's invitation. The GMCA stated that these visits were duly declared. Club staff were also involved in organizing the mayor's delegation visits to China and Japan.
The information was published after Burnham promised to disclose details regarding his contacts with Manchester City's leadership.
Earlier, an independent commission found the club guilty on most charges related to violating English Premier League financial rules during the 2009/10–2017/18 seasons, as well as refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Manchester City denies the violations and filed an appeal against the ruling on October 2.
Manchester City has been owned by an entity controlled by Sheikh Mansour since 2008. Since then, the team has been crowned English champion eight times and won the UEFA Champions League.
