Kieran Maguire makes ‘huge’ claim as Premier League clubs join forces against Man City

Sat 23 October 2021 10:00, UK

Man City are wary of being labelled “hypocrites” in their attitudes towards Newcastle United.

So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the recent Premier League sponsorship vote.

The owners of 18 top-flight clubs have elected to introduce a temporary block on related-party sponsorship deals.

The block prevents clubs from circumventing financial fair play rules by signing exorbitant deals with businesses linked with their owners.

Newly-minted Newcastle and City were the only teams to go against the bill, with the Magpies voting against and the Sky Blues abstaining.

City have questioned the legality of the four-week emergency measures, according to the Daily Mail on 18 October.

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The English champions are owned by Sheikh Mansour, deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.

And Maguire claims that questions regarding the origins of their own sponsorship deals led City to abstain.

He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “I presume they didn’t want to be accused of being hypocrites.

“That was possible given the nature of their relationship with Etihad and other commercial partners in the middle east.

“City have some non-UAE and EMEA partners, but there is no doubt they have certainly benefited from relationships there.

“Also, City are of the opinion that other clubs were lobbying the Premier League to sanction City for breaches of FFP linked to their sponsors.

“So with that in mind, they couldn’t be seen to be voting in favour of this. If the measures are made permanent, the fallout could be huge.”