Authority details Burnham's meetings with Manchester City chairman

Andy Burnham held one formal meeting with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has said. According to BBC Sport, the disclosure follows the prime minister's promise to publish details of his contacts with senior City figures after criticism of his response to the club's financial-rules case.

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The authority said the formal meeting took place in October 2021 at the UK government's Global Investment Summit and was arranged by the Department for International Trade. It also identified an informal encounter in the stands at Vincent Kompany's testimonial in September 2019, which Burnham attended as a guest of Manchester City.

A spokesperson said Burnham had received hospitality at a small number of City home games and that it had been declared through the usual process. The authority added that sporting organisations regularly joined overseas business delegations during his mayoralty. It cited involvement by Manchester United and Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as City's support for visits to China and Japan.

The disclosure did not satisfy shadow sports minister Louie French, who called for Burnham to provide more information himself. French said the account offered insufficient detail about the subjects discussed or any agreements reached. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had also called on Downing Street to release details of meetings between the prime minister and senior club figures.

Burnham told the Rest is Politics podcast that he was willing to publish his dealings with the club from his time as mayor. He defended his earlier comments about the prospect of City's owners leaving, while arguing that questions about investment should be treated separately from the football proceedings. He also said the independent commission's findings were serious.

BBC Sport reported that the commission found City had breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018 through commercial arrangements used to channel more than £830 million into football operations. Sanctions have not yet been announced. City have appealed against the verdict and continue to deny wrongdoing; a separate independent appeal board will consider the challenge.