10月1日：英国首相安迪·伯纳姆的一名发言人周四表示，如果曼彻斯特城被认定存在不当行为，就应受到“相应的惩处”。就在前一天，伯纳姆曾对曼城老板可能出售该俱乐部表示担忧。
Oct 1 : Manchester City should face the "appropriate consequences" if wrongdoing is established, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Thursday, a day after he expressed concern about City's owners potentially selling the club.
在独立委员会认定曼城严重违反英超联赛财务规则后，该俱乐部可能面临严厉制裁。俱乐部否认存在不当行为，并表示将提出上诉。
City face the possibility of severe sanctions after being found guilty by an independent commission of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. The club have denied wrongdoing and said they will appeal.
大曼彻斯特前市长伯纳姆周三告诉英国广播公司，曼城总部位于阿布扎比的老板一直是“建设现代化曼彻斯特的重要伙伴”，并帮助俱乐部打造成为世界级劲旅。
Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, told the BBC on Wednesday that City's Abu Dhabi-based owners had been "a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester" and in turning the club into a global force.
伯纳姆说：“如果失去他们，我会非常担忧。”他指的是媒体报道中有关此案最终可能导致俱乐部所有权变更的猜测。
"I would be really concerned to lose them," Burnham said, referring to media speculation that the case could ultimately lead to a change of ownership.
伯纳姆的言论遭到反对党政治人物的强烈批评。影子体育大臣路易·弗伦奇表示，政府必须“让政治远离足球”，并确保独立委员会不受“外部势力干预”。在舆论反弹之际，唐宁街发言人说，伯纳姆已经明确表示，调查程序仍在进行，并将保持独立。
Burnham's comments drew heavy criticism from opposition politicians. Shadow Sports Minister Louie French said the government must "keep politics out of football" and ensure the independent commission is free of "outside influence." Amid the backlash, a Number 10 spokesperson said Burnham had made clear that the process remained ongoing and independent.
发言人说：“正如首相明确表示的那样，初步裁决非常严重，绝不能让人产生任何人可以凌驾于规则之上的看法。他还强调，这是一场仍在进行的独立调查程序。”
"As the prime minister made clear, the initial judgment is serious and there can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules. He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process," the spokesperson said.
“必须让程序充分进行，并尊重其结果。如果认定存在不当行为，相关责任人应受到相应的惩处。”“坦白说，简直不可思议”保守党议员弗伦奇表示，伯纳姆的言论会让球迷质疑，曼城一案是否正在受到政治压力。
"It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences." 'FRANKLY EXTRAORDINARY'
他说：“安迪·伯纳姆出面支持曼彻斯特城老板，坦白说，这种干预非同寻常。该俱乐部面临前所未有的指控，球迷看到报刊上的相关报道后感到惊恐。”
Conservative lawmaker French said Burnham's remarks would leave fans asking whether political pressure was being applied in the City case. "Andy Burnham’s intervention in support of Manchester City’s owners is frankly extraordinary.
然而，尽管调查仍在进行中，伯纳姆（Burnham）却公开表示支持这些球队所有者。球迷们理所当然地会质疑：这里是否存在政治压力？这种压力又与这些所有者对曼彻斯特足球俱乐部的投资有何关联？曼城（Manchester City）有直到周五的时间来对这一裁决提出上诉。
The club face unprecedented allegations and fans are horrified by what they are reading in the papers," he said. "Yet Burnham is publicly backing the owners even as the investigation continues. Fans will rightly ask whether political pressure is being applied here and how it relates to the owners’ well-reported investments in Manchester." City have until Friday to appeal against the ruling.