The fallout from Manchester City’s guilty verdict last week is threatening more than the club’s trophy cabinet: Billions in investment are now on the line. Emirati officials have reportedly warned the UK government that the ruling could reduce Abu Dhabi’s appetite for big commitments in Britain, according to Bloomberg. The UAE has committed about £30 billion ($39.7 billion) to the UK, with a London investment summit planned this month.
Manchester City was found to have inflated its finances by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion), a finding its Abu Dhabi owners plan to appeal. Its main sponsor, Etihad Airways, said it was considering legal action against the league, while club CEO Ferran Soriano said the case was “based on a single false accusation” that the owners secretly funneled money into the club through sponsors.