That file could take time and, despite the precedent of the UEFA complaint for similar reasons that was swept off the map by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2020, the shadow hangs over the team’s successes.
Before even a possible “financial doping”the question of the use of the club as an instrument of influence by a regime criticized by organizations such as International Amnesty either Human Rights Watch for their lack of freedom of expression, their arbitrary arrests or discrimination against women or sexual minorities.
City Football Group (CFG)the tentacular ‘holding’ present in the capital of twelve clubs on five continents, claims not to be an instrument of soft power but a personal investment of the sheikh Mansour.
the same Mansour that, in September 2017, in front of the “Emirati Soft Power Strategic Council” stated: “Our goal is to extend the position of the United Arab Emirates in the world and in the hearts of the people”. And the same as Until the final this Saturday, he had not attended an official match of the City since a 3-0 win against Liverpool in 2010which shows that we are not dealing with a passionate fan.
The origins of the almighty Manchester City
In the efforts deployed by the United Arab Emirates to diversify their sources of income and attract the attention of Western countries or Chinahe Manchester City It is true that it weighs little, but the presidency was entrusted to Khaldoon Al Mubarakleader of the Emirati sovereign wealth fund.
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Abu Dhabia pioneer in European football in 2008, saved the club from bankruptcy Manchester Citywhich was then owned by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatradescribed at the time as “a violator of Human Rights of the worst kind” by Human Rights Watch.
The kind of Emirates with the City was later imitated by Qatar in 2011 when getting hold of him Paris Saint-Germain. or by Saudi Arabia to take the reins of newcastle in 2021.
The truth is that the arrival of the Emiratis brought the Manchester City in another dimension. It was a very popular club but sportingly in a second row and in the shadow of its neighbor united. But all that soon changed.
It was tenth of the premier league in 2009fifth in 2010third in 2011 and in his fourth exercise with the Emiratis, the Manchester City was proclaimed champion of England in 2012.
In the last thirteen years, the ‘Sky Blues’ have finished twelve times on the podium, winning seven championship titles, four of them in the last five seasons. To this are added three England Cups and six League Cups.
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This “seizure of power” was made with huge investments from 2008 and flashy signings such as Robinho in the beginning or, more recently, Erling Haaland.
To complete your visibility, Abu Dhabi He also did not hesitate to make huge investments in urban projects and accommodation in the city of Manchester.
But in the last five seasons, the ‘Citizens’ are only in 16th place among the most spending clubs in the premier leagueaccording to figures from the International Center for Sport Studies in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), published in February, indicating that their model seems to have reached maturity.
Despite the disappointments before this Saturday in the Champions Leaguehe City He has shown signs of stability and has not fallen into nervous breakdowns like those of the Paris Saint-Germain.
with the CEO Ferran Sorianothe sports director Txiki Begiristain and, obviously, the coach Josep Guardiola, the backbone has been maintained and the bet has finally been successful. The foreseeable success of a controversial model.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
