Ex-Manchester leader defends deals with Man City owners
Former Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese has defended land deals made with Manchester City FC owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. The partnership faces scrutiny over transparency and the lack of affordable housing in development projects.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the intersection of local government policy, international investment, and sports club ownership.
Image caption, Sir Richard Leese was leader of Manchester City Council for 25 years before he stepped down in 2021
The former leader of Manchester City Council has defended the council's relationship with the owners of Manchester City amid questions over land deals.
Sir Richard Leese, who was head of the council for 25 years until 2021 and is also honorary president of the club, said a decade-old deal with Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) was "good for the city".
The partnership between the authority and the company owned by Sheik Mansour bin zayed Al Nahyan has come under renewed scrutiny since City was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations with "sham" commercial contracts .
The club has denied any wrongdoing is appealing against the charges.
The council entered into a partnership with ADUG in 2014 when they formed a joint venture called Manchester Life.
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