Burnham's defence of Manchester City owners draws Conservative backlash

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be "really concerned" if Manchester City's owners sold up after the club was found guilty of financial rule breaches.

• Manchester City was found guilty by an independent commission of most of 115 charges over a scheme to disguise funding of over £830m through "sham contracts".
• Burnham said he would be "really concerned" if City's owners sold up, but that he could not intervene more in the process.
• Conservative shadow sports minister Louie French called the comments "completely out of touch" and urged the government to keep politics out of football.
• David Kogan of the Independent Football Regulator said the body will use its powers to assess owner suitability where appropriate.