There is a way out of the Man City scandal

Any grown-up conversation about the Manchester City scandal – and these 114 guilty verdicts – will acknowledge Abu Dhabi’s wider investment in the UK, as well as the security relationship between Britain and the UAE. The consequences of a mere “football” story affect our politics, economy, society and sciences. But the scale of the scandal means that the punishment the club faces will have to be proportionate and severe. The Premier League’s independent panel spelled out the scale of the deception: £920m in “sham contracts” and deals. HMRC has been told to look into the finances. Man City did appeal before tonight’s deadline, and dispute the findings. Attempts to soften that punishment – like Andy Burnham tried this week – are likely to backfire. Conflating the fate of Man City with Abu Dhabi’s investments will only lead to awkward questions. The club and the state are supposed to be separate. The Prime Minister is not supposed to interfere in an independent process. Their work together in Manchester has led to spectacular regeneration. The more they dig in, the deeper the scrutiny. Two things can be true. You can welcome the investment and a genuine partnership that has mutual benefit. And you can say that this process has integrity and, for billions of football fans, matters. Forget Man City for a moment. The UK Government and Abu Dhabi have too much in common to sacrifice their mutual interests. As for football fans – here and across the world – they couldn’t give two figs about foreign investment, if it destroys their passion. There is a route out.@olyduff