It has been a relatively quiet Sunday for Manchester City on the pitch, although the fallout from the independent commission’s verdict continues to generate stories during the international break.
Rival clubs are reportedly looking towards City’s academy; The Times has examined a property agreement involving Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group, while three of Enzo Maresca’s players could be in international action tonight.
Rivals look towards City’s academy
BBC Sport reports that rival clubs are “already working” on attempts to lure some of City’s leading academy prospects away from the Etihad.
The interest comes with uncertainty continuing around City following the commission’s verdict. The club were found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges brought against them and have formally lodged an appeal.
BBC Sport discusses a potential transfer embargo among the sanctions that could follow, although no such restriction has been imposed and the eventual punishment remains unresolved.
Elsewhere, The Times has reported on a 10-year property arrangement involving ADUG and Manchester City Council.
The newspaper reports that Manchester Life, their property partnership, was given a right of first refusal over certain council-owned land. A north-west developer quoted by The Times described the arrangement as a “sweetheart deal”, while Manchester City Council has defended the partnership and the regeneration it delivered.
There is no suggestion in The Times report that the property agreement formed part of the Premier League charges against City.
It follows a weekend in which the implications of the verdict have continued to be debated. City supporters’ club general secretary Kevin Parker has spoken candidly about his own reaction to the commission’s findings, while Football Leaks whistleblower Rui Pinto has also returned to the spotlight.
The next generation?
There was brighter news involving City’s future, with Cavan Sullivan becoming the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history at just 17 years and five days. The Philadelphia Union youngster has an agreement in place to join City once he becomes eligible to make the move at 18.
Attention now turns to tonight, when Erling Haaland and Rúben Dias could be on opposite sides as Norway face Portugal in Porto at 7.45pm UK time.
Ayyoub Bouaddi could also feature when Morocco face Ghana at 8pm. Antoine Semenyo won’t be involved after withdrawing from Ghana duty with a swollen leg.
The full schedule and each player’s progress can be followed in our Man City international duty tracker.
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