I think the primary reason for the purchase of Manchester City was to get a foothold in the richest football league in the world and to make money in a sport with worldwide appeal.
Whoever said the first casualty of war is the truth, hadn’t envisaged this, I would imagine.I think you’re right.
This sportswashing nonsense is just that. It’s actually totally the opposite. All that’s happened is that the UAE has been scrutinised even more with regards to human rights than they ever would have been. How many people would even be aware of the UAE’s connections to the Yemen war if not for anti-City journalists mentioning it any time they can with little regard to accuracy.
I’m if the opinion that the world, certainly the western world, is run by big business and global industry.
Arguing that the American or British government don’t own football teams is completely missing the point as far as who influences government policy is concerned.
The likes of the Glazers or Henry have as much opportunity to influence government in my mind, as the Sheik in middle eastern countries.
Billions are made by lobbying the likes of the Republicans for favors.
Donations in the right pockets go a long way. Allegedly.
So for me, the differentiating between our owners investment and the money made from sponsorship from companies who make their profit by using very questionable methods, is totally selective, agenda driven logic.
Not thinking of any company in particular, but money laundering through dodgy regimes is the kind of thing that comes to mind. That sort of dirty money seems far more questionable than clean oil money.
Yes but it doesn't matter because he doesn't own us,if that's where the journo's are getting their link from it's a lazy one tbfSurely semantics. He’s the club chairman!
Don't give the fuckers any ideasOne of their main areas of research is to find the next "on trend" scandal to wrap us in.
Animal rights,Environmental disasters?
I'm sure the rspca and Greenpeace will oblige with condemnation and soundbites as and when.
Says access denied
I understand how a stupid journalist would think so mate, but not you who frequents this board so much.If that was indeed their motivation, then the point I was inexpertly trying to make, is of course redundant at source. Didn’t one of the hacked emails refer to His Highness covering a significant amount of our sponsorship money though? I make no assumption as to whether that info is true or not, but again it’s not hard to see why journalists would link us to the AD government
It may be illegal but it doesn’t contravene any FFP rules and is ok with UEFA.And illegal as evidenced by the billion dolllar fines handed out to these crooks who also sponsor football clubs.
Ah I thought the link looked long and copied and pasted to another browser and it worked, I must have logged into companies house there as well at some pointSays access denied
I agree, but one would have thought these top investigative journalists would be over it like a rash...It may be illegal but it doesn’t contravene any FFP rules and is ok with UEFA.