Property, football and politics: The links between Manchester and Abu Dhabi explained
This article examines the historical and financial ties between Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners and the city's political and property sectors. It details the club's recent legal challenges regarding financial regulations and its broader economic footprint in Manchester.
Why it matters
The report highlights the growing scrutiny of state-backed ownership in professional sports and its impact on local urban development.
The Abu Dhabi United Group took over Manchester City in 2008 [PA Media] When Manchester City was found guilty in September of breaching Premier League financial rules, the damning and unprecedented verdict left the football world reeling.
An independent commission said the club had "systematically" broken rules between 2009 and 2018 by inflating sponsorship revenue to disguise secret funding of more than £830m into its football operations.
Speculation is now rife about the level of punishment City will face, although the club denies any wrongdoing and has appealed against the ruling.
While we await the outcome, the historical relationship between City's Abu Dhabi-based owners and Manchester's political elite - including the now Prime Minister Andy Burnham - has been in the spotlight.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (centre) bought Man City in a £200m deal [PA Media]
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