曼城由阿布扎比王室的一名成员拥有，并于周五被判定违反英格兰足球超级联赛的财务规则，这给阿联酋最引以为傲的软实力成果之一蒙上了阴影。竞争对手足球俱乐部的球迷将这一裁决视为证据，认为曼城——以及背后的阿联酋——是靠砸钱登顶的。处罚可能从向竞争对手俱乐部提供补偿到扣分不等。但此事也关乎外交：在英国首相安迪·伯纳姆任内，英国与阿联酋的关系有所升温。伯纳姆曾任曼彻斯特市长，他称阿布扎比通过投资曼彻斯特最贫困地区，成为当地的“重量级合作伙伴”。
Manchester City, owned by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, was found guilty on Friday of breaching Premier League financial rules, tainting one of the emirate’s greatest soft-power successes. Fans of rival soccer clubs have framed the verdict as proof Manchester City — and by extension the UAE — bought its way to the top. Penalties could range from compensating rival clubs to points deductions. But the stakes are also diplomatic: UK-UAE ties have warmed under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former Manchester mayor who has called Abu Dhabi “huge partners” for their investment in the city’s poorest areas.
伯纳姆最近还会见了俱乐部主席兼穆巴达拉投资公司首席执行官哈利敦·阿尔·穆巴拉克。《金融时报》援引的外交官和分析人士表示，鉴于两国双边贸易额每年达318亿美元，两国政府很可能会协力控制可能出现的政治影响。阿尔·穆巴拉克在致球迷的一封信中承诺，将对该裁决提出挑战。——埃德·克洛斯
Burnham also recently met with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the club’s chairman and Mubadala Investment Co.’s chief executive. Diplomats and analysts cited by the Financial Times say the two governments, whose bilateral trade is worth $31.8 billion annually, will likely work to contain any political fallout. In a letter to fans, Al Mubarak vowed to challenge the ruling. — Ed Clowes