I sit in East stand level 3 block 302. I generally chat to people on the concourse and this weekend managed to speak to a Brazilian guy living in Ireland who had bought him and his wife tickets to experience the prem for the first time, 3 united fans who to be fair made no issues and kept their heads down and 3 USA "soccer" fans covered in the 50/50 scarf monstrosities. Not 1 person in either 3 groups had ever set foot in the Etihad before and non met the criteria for being able to purchase a ticker officially. The sooner the club admit to having a 2 tier entrance criteria the better , one for local fans who want to pay normal matchday prices and a second with zero criteria for those who are better off and able to spend a higher sum to circumnavigate any selling criteria. They are very open about having 3rd party selling partners as these are listed on the website, but not so open about the fact to purchase from these 3rd parties you don't have to comply with the official match selling criteria "normal" fans have abide by.