Downing Street has reaffirmed that Manchester City must face the same rules as any other club following criticism of comments made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The statement came after Burnham said he would be concerned if Manchester City's current owners were to leave the club.
Burnham praised the investment made by City's Abu Dhabi-based ownership group and its contribution to the development of Manchester.
His comments attracted criticism from opposition politicians, who questioned whether political figures should be commenting on an ongoing football disciplinary case.
Number 10 has now stressed that the process involving Manchester City remains independent.
A government spokesperson said the initial judgment was serious and that there could be no suggestion that anyone was above the rules.
The spokesperson added that the independent process must be allowed to continue and that any established wrongdoing should result in appropriate consequences.
An independent Premier League commission recently found Manchester City guilty of serious financial rule breaches covering a nine-season period.
The Premier League said the commission found that the club had used commercial arrangements that artificially increased reported revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million during the period under investigation.
Manchester City deny wrongdoing and have the right to appeal the commission's findings. The club's appeal deadline is Friday, October 2.
The case will continue through the independent disciplinary and appeals process, with any potential sporting sanctions to be considered separately.