Manchester City's guilty verdict mars UAE soft power
Fans of rival soccer clubs have framed the verdict as proof Manchester City — and by extension the UAE — bought its way to the top.
Manchester City, a club owned by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, was recently found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules, according to the outlet. This verdict has tarnished one of the UAE’s most significant soft-power achievements. Fans of rival soccer clubs have seen this as evidence that Manchester City — and by extension the UAE — purchased their way to the top.
The penalties could range from compensating rival clubs to deducting points. However, the stakes are not solely financial. UK-UAE diplomatic ties have strengthened under Andy Burnham, a former Manchester mayor who once called Abu Dhabi “huge partners” for their investments in the city’s disadvantaged neighborhoods. Burnham has also recently met with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Manchester City’s chairman and Mubadala Investment Co.’s chief executive.
Diplomats and analysts quoted by the Financial Times suggest that the two governments, whose bilateral trade is valued at $31.8 billion annually, will likely collaborate to mitigate any political repercussions. In a letter to fans, Al Mubarak has pledged to appeal the ruling.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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