Manchester City lawyers to argue Abu Dhabi body funded sponsors
- The legal battle centers on allegations that owner funding was disguised as sponsorship revenue.
- Manchester City’s lawyers intend to present evidence that an Abu Dhabi government body funded sponsors rather than club owner Sheikh Mansour.
- A Downing Street spokesperson insisted the initial judgment is serious, stressed that no one is above the rules, and noted that it is an ongoing independent process that...
The legal battle centers on allegations that owner funding was disguised as sponsorship revenue.
Abu Dhabi Government Funding Defense
Manchester City’s lawyers intend to present evidence that an Abu Dhabi government body funded sponsors rather than club owner Sheikh Mansour. The appeal board will review documentation aiming to refute the commission’s finding that more than £830m of owner money was secretly injected into the club through sham sponsorship arrangements in order to inflate revenues and enable the club to comply with Uefa and Premier League financial rules.
Downing Street Insists No One Is Above the Rules
A Downing Street spokesperson insisted the initial judgment is serious, stressed that no one is above the rules, and noted that it is an ongoing independent process that must be allowed to run its course and its outcome respected.
Gary Neville Says Premier League Reputation Is Damaged
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville stated on Thursday’s episode of the Stick To Football podcast that the Premier League has been dragged through the mud by the case and that to listen to it is chilling, noting that the league always thought it had enormous integrity and set the standard before the scandal came to the country. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called on the club’s owner Sheikh Mansour to sell up.
Those executives warned that expulsion would be a self-inflicted commercial disaster, a risk not worth taking, and akin to cutting off their noses to spite their faces because it would have massive commercial consequences and cost other clubs an enormous amount of money, while also bringing the futures of stars like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden into question. Conversely, a counter-feeling exists among some top clubs that City remaining in the league would be damaging to its brand and integrity, making an extended period outside the top flight necessary to maintain the competition’s global image for the future, though such a vote by clubs against a recommended expulsion would lead to unprecedented circumstances regarding potential punishments. Meanwhile, Championship directors are averse to City potentially dropping into their league, with sources noting they would simply blow the Championship away with their wealth, go straight back up, kill a promotion spot for other clubs, and deal with a level of wealth no other club in the division could handle, leaving their future in the hands of the FA and EFL.
Independent Football Regulator May Assess Suitability of Owners
David Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator—set up by the government in 2025—noted that the ruling raises serious issues, expressed hope for a quick resolution, and confirmed the body holds powers to assess the suitability of club owners, directors and executives and will use those powers where appropriate once proceedings come to a close.
If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.