Manchester City Stars Promote Abu Dhabi Luxury Housing Project

A luxury property development in Abu Dhabi has brought Manchester City players and manager Pep Guardiola into a promotional campaign as the English club faces scrutiny over a financial investigation. The project, Manchester City Yas Residences, was developed by Ohana and promoted at an event at the Etihad Stadium attended by more than 4,000 VIPs, brokers and government officials.

According to Britain's The Sun, striker Erling Haaland purchased a waterfront villa in the development, while his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, also bought a property. Reports cited by the outlet valued the five-bedroom villa at no less than £1.9 million, although the source did not provide independently verified transaction documents.

The promotional campaign featured several Manchester City players, including Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic, as well as former striker Omar Marmoush. Guardiola served as an official ambassador for the residential project, which was presented at an elaborate launch featuring fireworks and dance performances.

Haaland announced his purchase in a video shown during the event, describing the development as a place where he and his father would live as neighbors in Abu Dhabi.

"I'm very happy to announce that I'm joining the Ohana Manchester City project, and we're going to be neighbours in Abu Dhabi. I've just bought a house, and so has my father. By the way, you may have seen him there, hi Dad.

See you soon, and enjoy your time." Haaland said.

His father subsequently appeared on stage at the launch. According to the source report, property ownership would make both men eligible for ten-year residency visas in the United Arab Emirates.

Guardiola also addressed the audience in the promotional video, highlighting his connection to the project and Abu Dhabi.

"I'm delighted to be here, this is my second home." Guardiola said.

The campaign has drawn criticism because of the timing of the announcement, which coincided with continued scrutiny of Manchester City's financial affairs. According to the source article, an independent Premier League panel concluded that the club had artificially inflated revenue by close to £900 million between 2009 and 2018, following the takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group, owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The panel used the word "sham" eight times in its findings, according to the report, which cited references to agreements and contracts. Manchester City appealed the ruling and maintained that it possessed conclusive evidence supporting its position.

The club also spent more than £450 million on seven key players during the summer transfer window, according to the source article. The report did not establish a direct financial connection between those transfers and the Abu Dhabi property development.

Sports writer John Paul O'Neill criticized the promotional campaign, arguing that its timing conveyed disregard for the ongoing scrutiny and emphasizing the commercial objectives behind the investment.

"The whole thing looks utterly brazen, and it shows the contempt the club has for the investigation. They are completely ignoring it and saying: so what? We'll carry on as we are.

The purpose of this huge investment in City is to promote the United Arab Emirates. It's pure business, pure marketing." O'Neill said.

Former Chelsea and Charlton player Micky Ambrose also questioned the decision to associate the club with luxury property sales while the financial case remained contentious.

"It's ridiculous that Manchester City are selling luxury homes in Abu Dhabi after the guilty verdicts were issued. Who said cheats never prosper? The fans must be feeling hugely let down by all of this." Ambrose said.