Manchester City’s Premier League charges ‘discussed’ by UK government embassy in Abu Dhabi and FCDO in London

The UK government have admitted the charges handed to Manchester City by the Premier League have been discussed at their embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London, according to a report from the Athletic this week.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed by the Premier League in an official statement that Manchester City had been charged with breaking financial fair play rules around 100 times over a nine-year period, between 2009 and until 2018.

It was alleged at the time of the statement that City had failed to provide accurate financial information, and did not fully disclose the financial remunerations that were made to one of their managers over a four-year period.

The Premier League also alleged at the time that Manchester City did not comply with UEFA’s financial fair play rules over a five-year period, whilst also claimed that the club did not fully co-operated with their investigation.

In direct response, Manchester City have strongly denied the allegations, and in a previous statement, pointed towards “a body of irrefutable evidence” that will clear them of any wrongdoing in due course.

Now, in a new report from Dan Sheldon of The Athletic, the UK government has admitted that its embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London have ‘discussed’ the charges levelled at Manchester City by the Premier League.

However, it is detailed within the report that the government are ‘refusing’ to disclose the correspondence over the possibility that it could risk the UK’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates.

On September 6, the FCDO, citing Section 27(1)(a) of the FOIA, told The Athletic, “We acknowledge that releasing information on this issue would increase public knowledge about our relations with the UAE.

“The disclosure of information detailing our relationship with the UAE government could potentially damage the bilateral relationship between the UK and the UAE.”

You can read the full report from The Athletic here.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has previously insisted that he would prefer the investigation and situation to be resolved at the earliest opportunity, demanding a resolution ‘tomorrow’ when speaking back in May 2023.

“What I would like is if the Premier League and judges could make something as soon as possible,” said Guardiola. “Then, if we have done something wrong, everybody will know it and, if we are like we believe as a club for many years, [done things] in the right way, then the people will stop talking about it.

“We would love it tomorrow. This afternoon better than tomorrow. Hopefully they are not so busy and the judges can see both sides and decide what is the best, because in the end I know fairly what we won we won on the pitch and we don’t have any doubts.”

Pep Guardiola continued ahead of his side’s game against Brighton at the Amex Stadium last season, “Let’s go. Don’t wait two years. Why don’t we do it quicker? In 24 hours, sit down with lawyers present. Let’s have it as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone.”

Manchester City have continued with business as normal since the reveal of the Premier League charges, operating throughout the transfer market and across the City Football Group without any hesitation.

Since the Premier League charges were first made public, Manchester City have also gone on to claim a third successive English top-flight title, won their second FA Cup under Pep Guardiola, and also won their first ever UEFA Champions League crown.