---
title: "Andy Burnham warned over Man City comments as political row grows"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/10/01/andy-burnham-man-city-sam-wallace-criticism/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-10-01T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-10-01T15:00:00Z"
---

# Andy Burnham warned over Man City comments as political row grows

**Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been criticised over his comments on [City’s](https://readmancity.com/) ownership following the independent commission’s guilty verdict.**

Telegraph Sport chief football writer Sam Wallace believes Burnham needs to leave his Manchester allegiances behind when discussing the case, warning against even the impression of political influence over an independent football process.

[Writing for the Telegraph](https://x.com/TeleFootball/status/2105560676596891864), Wallace said: “Any notion the Prime Minister is trying to influence an independent body is not just bad for the governance of football – it is bad governance full stop.”

## Wallace questions Burnham comments

Burnham said this week that he would be “really concerned” if City’s Abu Dhabi owners sold the club, praising their investment in both City and the wider regeneration of Manchester.

The former Greater Manchester mayor has also stressed that he isn’t seeking to intervene in the disciplinary process. Burnham said it would be inappropriate for him to do so while City continue to contest the commission’s findings.

That distinction is important given Wallace’s criticism. City deny wrongdoing and have announced their intention to appeal, with the club given until Friday to exercise that right.

No sanction has yet been imposed, with punishment to be determined separately. Wallace’s intervention adds another argument to the fallout from the verdict, this time over how far politicians should go when discussing a live football disciplinary process.

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