The Man City story takes a surprising turn just hours after the club challenged the Premier League decision.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly warned UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham that it might withdraw billions of pounds of investment from the UK if Manchester City’s guilty verdict by the Premier League is upheld. The Premier League found City guilty on 114 of 115 charges, related to the years 2009 to 2018, a period during which City won three league titles. City denies any wrongdoing and has appealed the decision.
This news, which first came out on September 25 after an independent review, has shaken the football world and is affecting UK-UAE political ties. Manchester City is owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), based in the UAE. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the owner of ADUG, is also a high-ranking official and member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.
The UAE’s warning came after Burnham, who was once mayor of Greater Manchester, faced criticism for his comments about City’s owners. When BBC News asked if he was worried they might sell the club, Burnham said he would be really concerned to lose them because they have played a big role in making Manchester what it is today. However, he also said he couldn’t interfere and wanted to wait until all the details are clear since City is still appealing.
Some politicians from the Tory party disagreed strongly with Burnham’s remarks, calling them “out of touch.” This led to Downing Street issuing a statement saying no team is “above the rules” and that it’s important to respect the ongoing independent process. They also said anyone found guilty should face fair consequences.
If the guilty verdict stands, Manchester City could face serious punishments like losing points, relegation, or even being removed from the Premier League. Key players like Erling Haaland might leave if the club drops to a lower league.
City insists they are innocent and have strong evidence to support their case. On October 1, 2026, the club officially appealed the Premier League’s decision, saying the verdict made serious mistakes and is unfair. They promised to respect the process but said they can’t share more details until everything is settled.