In UAE’s Man City heartland, conspiracy theories abound
Supporters see themselves as victims of a Premier League conspiracy by English football’s traditional powers seeking to neutralise an upstart rival.
In Abu Dhabi, home to the scandalized Manchester City, fans believe the team is victims of a Premier League conspiracy. Supporters across the oil-rich city think traditional English football powers are using dark arts to neutralize an upstart rival. City has lodged an appeal after breaking Premier League financial rules more than 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
Obeid Al-Heifeiti, 22, said he thinks it's part of a pattern where successful clubs face opposition from established ones. Fans in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's well-heeled capital, say Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are conspiring against City. Some Emiratis feel the club's success has triggered a backlash from traditional English clubs.
The Emirati owners took over Manchester City in 2008 during a period of global expansion for the UAE, which saw the construction of the Burj Khalifa and the nation's first F1 grand prix. The club's success under manager Pep Guardiola has brought seven English league titles in recent years. However, tighter financial rules have frustrated City's ambitions to spend heavily on players, leading some Emiratis to believe the club is being targeted politically.
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- In UAE’s Man City heartland, conspiracy theories abound freemalaysiatoday.com
