The Abu Dhabi owners of City are unlikely to walk away from the club even if they face a significant punishment over their Premier League financial case, according to experts.
A Manchester Evening News report has examined what the outcome of the long-running case could mean for City’s ownership. Analysts consulted by the MEN believe City’s backers are more likely to accept any punishment and rebuild than sell the club.
Why experts expect Man City owners to stay
The first factor is the scale of the project already established. Since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008, City have invested heavily in the playing squad, academy and infrastructure while becoming one of English football’s leading clubs.
Starting again elsewhere would be considerably more difficult. The MEN report points to the enormous cost involved in attempting to repeat City’s transformation at another Premier League club, particularly in the current financial environment.
There is also no indication that Abu Dhabi’s commitment to City has weakened. Experts quoted in the report believe the ownership would be prepared to deal with a sporting or financial sanction and continue with the project rather than abandon almost two decades of investment.
The uncertainty surrounding the case nevertheless remains. City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are appealing the independent commission’s verdict, meaning the outcome and any punishment have yet to be settled. That has inevitably led to questions about the ownership’s future should City eventually receive a severe sanction.
The latest assessment, however, is that City’s owners are expected to remain unless they are forced to sell, with rebuilding considered more realistic than walking away.
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