In the space of nearly two decades, Emirati money has turned the once-average Manchester City into one of the world's most dominant football teams. Now, the club faces severe penalties and possibly automatic exclusion from the Premier League.
In February 2023, the league brought forth 115 charges against the Citizens for breaching financial regulations and refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Last Tuesday, the Premier League confirmed reports that Manchester City was found guilty of financial misconduct. The statement detailed how the club’s hierarchy created false contracts and concealed covert financing, breaching the rules for almost a decade. Possible sanctions could include hefty fines, title revocations, and even expulsion from the Premier League.
Manchester City continues to deny the charges and intends to appeal. Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak expressed confidence that the club will prove its innocence.
Below are key facts about the two most influential figures from the UAE behind this English giant.
Sheikh Mansour
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan serves as the Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the President's Administration of the United Arab Emirates. He owns the Abu Dhabi United Group, which acquired Manchester City in 2008.
Born in 1970, Mansour is the younger brother of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and one of the wealthiest individuals in the Middle East. He chairs the board of Mubadala, a state investment fund estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with Khaldoon Al-Mubarak serving as its CEO.
The vast wealth and political influence of Sheikh Mansour extend to state companies engaged in substantial business within the UK, raising stakes regarding potential diplomatic and economic ramifications of the football club's legal issues.
His activities outside of football have also been shrouded in controversy. Mansour is the majority owner of Redbird IMI, which attempted to purchase the leading UK conservative newspaper, the Telegraph. However, the deal was blocked, prompting the UK government to enact laws restricting foreign states from owning more than 15% of newspapers and magazines.
Additionally, Sheikh Mansour owns Abu Dhabi-based IMI, which manages Sky News Arabia. Earlier this year, British company Sky News announced it would relinquish strategic and operational control of its Arabic-language offshoot after coverage over Sudan stirred controversy in the UK.
Moreover, investigations by the New York Times alleged that Sheikh Mansour played a central role in the purported arms supplies from the UAE to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group accused of genocide by the US and human rights organizations. Experts have pointed the finger at the UAE as a key sponsor of this group, fuelling the conflict, though Abu Dhabi vehemently denies these accusations.
In Manchester, Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group has deeply integrated itself into the city's life, investing enormous sums in the revamping of the dilapidated eastern part. However, a 2022 Sheffield University study and reports from The Sunday Times revealed that the group secured lucrative deals for these projects on preferential terms.
Khaldoon Al-Mubarak
As chairman, Al-Mubarak is the most recognizable figure in Manchester City’s hierarchy and is often seen at the team’s matches. He also heads the City Football Group, which manages a host of other clubs, partially or entirely owned by the UAE, including Spanish side Girona and MLS outfit New York City.
He has overseen Manchester City’s transformation both on the pitch, where billions have been spent to build a world-class team, and off the pitch, where commercial revenues have skyrocketed under the new ownership.
The 51-year-old has a prominent role beyond football: since 2002, he has held positions as managing director and CEO of the investment company Mubadala. According to the company’s website, the colossal state fund manages a staggering $385 billion in assets across more than 80 countries. Al-Mubarak also sits on the board of the UAE’s state oil company, ADNOC.
Additionally, he holds several senior positions within the Abu Dhabi government, including a place on the Emirate's executive council, making him one of the most powerful individuals in the country not part of the royal family.
Reports suggest that his work with Manchester City has enabled him to forge close ties with British politicians. According to the Financial Times, Al-Mubarak has maintained a good personal relationship with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, dating back to when he was Mayor of Greater Manchester. The same report indicates that he is also on good terms with Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds, whose constituency is located in the city.
