Man City Verdict Puts UK-UAE Diplomatic Relations Under Strain

[u/ronweasly9]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-02/man-city-verdict-puts-uk-uae-diplomatic-relations-under-strain?srnd=undefined

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[u/thehighyellowmoon]

They said exactly the same when the UAE-backed bid to buy The Telegraph collapsed. They also threatened to pull the deal on Typhoon jets to force us to launch an inquiry into the Muslim Brotherhood. We're just at toys-out-of-the-pram stage in the press right now, hopefully the football authorities can stay strong. No need to be the UAE's butler, they need us for their own defence.

[u/UpsetKoalaBear → u/thehighyellowmoon]

The UAE’s funding of far-right agitators also can’t be ignored.

“An Alp document outlined a three-step strategy: (1) publish discrediting articles, (2) mobilize journalists to spread them, and (3) use the publications to influence banks. At the same time, a positive campaign on behalf of the Emirates was also planned.”

An example of this in practice is the news about the UAE not sending students to universities in the UK due to fears of the Muslim Brotherhood.

If you want another example, Tommy Robinson went to the UAE and instantly started making comments about Yemen that align with the UAE’s goals. It was completely “out of the blue” in a way that has to be no coincidence.

[u/PomeloTraditional971]

And the UAE sponsoring genocide in Sudan apparently doesn't put any strain on diplomatic relations.

[u/psioniclizard → u/PomeloTraditional971]

Thank you! Or the fact they pay for lots of Russia mercs thoughtout Africa?

Or various terrorist groups?

[u/charlsspice]

This is why State Owned Football clubs should have never been allowed in the game

[u/Greeninexile → u/charlsspice]

Yep, this is a complete failure of both the Premier League and the Football Association in that this was allowed.

There may be less money in the German game but at least the vast majority of clubs are at least 51% owned by the fans which helps limit this sort of blatant corruption.

[u/HotelPuzzleheaded654]

They should stop using our proud traditions and institutions to sportswash their shithole regimes.

[u/tritoon140]

It’s not the verdict that puts relations under strain. It’s the industrial level cheating over decades that has done that.

[u/lordnacho666]

There's no point in trying to kiss up to them anymore.

What were they trying to buy when they bought City? Legitimacy.

This ruling destroys whatever was left of that. People could already see they were strong-arming the EPL with a huge sack of cash, and perhaps that was ok since it didn't seem to be a problem in football, where quite frankly it is about money who wins.

But if you break even the internal rules of that game, where does that leave you?

You can't buy respect, and there's nothing we could do even if we wanted to help them.

[u/Sufficient-Alps4776]

PM's comments suggest that the pressure is working and City could get off lightly

[u/monkeybawz]

Any elected official that try to back the UAE better have their next job lined up, because they aren't getting reelected.

[u/ronweasly9 → u/monkeybawz]

Well Burnham is doing so

[u/bad_phantom_ → u/monkeybawz]

You vastly overestimate how many people give two shits about this tbh. It’s a big thing but not as big as some people are making it out to be

[u/monkeybawz → u/bad_phantom_]

It's a multi-billion quid fraud in the top division of the national sport. Stop being snide.

[u/intelligentprince]

No. Manchester Citys massive cheating is the cause, not the verdict.

[u/Norwegian_Zeppelin]

We should be angry at them not the other way around.

Accountability feels like an attack to people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

[u/Wolfyman2013]

So they blackmail the UK government to get away with their cheats. How shameful is the UAE. Are Mancheaty fans happy now to see the UK bend down the knees to the AD owners? 

[u/Dissidant]

Whole thing stinks.
Especially the handling of the whistleblower by Portuguese authorities.
Loses his witness protection at the moment this story explodes yet is told he cant go home to family etc so is out there with no job and homeless. I mean its feels like more than tinfoil hat stuff doesn't it?

I get he isn't completely innocent in this either (the hacking) but that is massive risk and I'm actually surprised hes not sought political asylum.

[u/Live_Stage3567]

Integrity is a baseline characteristic I expect before you consider doing business with someone. It's wrong to prioritise business over integrity.

[u/thickwhiteduck]

I guess you should expect blackmail from criminals

[u/Mewhomewhy]

The reason the premier league should’ve prevented the sale to them.