The United Arab Emirates has warned the Government it could cancel billions of pounds of investment in the UK over the Premier League’s Manchester City ruling, reports BritPanorama.
Emirati officials indicated that “the Premier League’s actions” could significantly impact the bilateral state relationship, as reported by Bloomberg.
Additionally, The Telegraph highlighted that the UAE threatens to abandon billions earmarked for a hi-tech Silicon Valley-style hub planned between Oxford and Cambridge.
Recent discussions have also revealed that Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak met with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in Downing Street just two weeks prior to the Premier League’s controversial decision.
On Thursday, Downing Street reiterated that the guilty verdict against City is “serious,” after Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham faced criticism for allegedly intervening on behalf of the club’s owners.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister emphasized the gravity of the verdict, following Burnham’s comments that he would be “really concerned” to see the current owners sell the club.
Conservative shadow sports minister Louie French accused Burnham of “publicly backing the owners” amid ongoing investigations into the club’s financial practices, describing his remarks as “frankly extraordinary.”
The Liberal Democrats have called for Burnham to disclose details of his meetings with Manchester City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), and to declare any hospitality he received at the Etihad Stadium.
In a BBC interview earlier this week, Burnham expressed his apprehension over the prospect of losing the current owners, stating, “They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester.”
He added, “Obviously, the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.”
In response to questions about the scrutiny of his dealings with the club, he acknowledged the contributions made by the City Football Group and its ownership to the city’s development, emphasizing, “of course.”
Amid the growing scrutiny, Downing Street was compelled to issue clarifications regarding Burnham’s stance, asserting that the verdict against Manchester City is indeed serious.
Former City and FA chairman David Bernstein voiced concerns about Burnham’s comments, suggesting that such matters are better handled with political detachment.
Manchester City was found guilty of charges regarding breaches of financial rules from 2009 to 2018.
The Premier League stated that an independent commission identified that City had orchestrated “sham” commercial transactions with several sponsors during this period, which were part of a concealed funding scheme involving the ADUG.
