Diplomatic ties between the UK and the United Arab Emirates is now under 'significant strain' amid Manchester City's legal battle against the Premier League.
A report from Bloomberg claims that billions of pounds in projected foreign investment is at stake after City were found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. A ruling from an independent commission found that the club made 'sham' schemes to artificially inflate their commercial revenue by £830 million.
There had already been suggestions that punishing City would lead to issues between the UK and the UAE due to the club's Abu Dhabi ownership. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham received criticism for claiming that he'd be disappointed to see those owners dismissed.
Man City Verdict UK Investment Threat
It's said that over the past five years, the UAE have provided over £30 billion to major UK sectors. The two nations want to maintain their financial partnership but both have become frustrated due to the fallout from City's case.
Alex Wickham, Bloomberg's Political Editor, has claimed that UAE officials have warned the UK government that the severity of City's punishment could "undermine their appetite for future grand-scale commitments in Britain, according to people familiar with the matter."
He added: "They consider the Premier League’s actions to have an influence on the bilateral state relationship, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing undisclosed information."
The FA released a statement confirming they intend to "take action where appropriate". They wrote:
"The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game. We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate. As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely."
City's current owners have been in place since 2008 when Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired the club. They have since become one of the most successful clubs in English football, but Premier League titles and a historic continental treble triumph are now tainted.
Could Man City Owners Go?
One punishment that has been suggested since the Premier League confirmed the commission's guilty verdicts is removal of City's owners. Miguel Delaney of The Independent confirmed while speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football podcast that this is a real possibility.
Delaney stated: "The independent football regulator absolutely those powers. I suppose then it comes down to a question of appetite."
He pointed out that City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has diplomatic immunity. But if at the end of a City appeal process, other individuals could go.
City had until today (Friday, October 2nd) to lodge an appeal in response to the guilty verdicts. They have maintained their innocence throughout and CEO Ferran Soriano reaffirmed this in a video sent to club employees this week.
