British Government accused of ‘pursuing’ Manchester City owners after Roman Abramovich with Mansour’s eligibility to own a Premier League club questioned
The UK government has been accused of pursuing Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour after he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The UK government first became aware of Roman Abramovich’s connection to Vladimir Putin, something the 55-year-old has consistently denied.
As soon as Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, Chris Bryant MP called for sanctions against the rich owner of Chelsea, which were subsequently imposed weeks later.
The government is now involved in the sale of the Blues, though Abramovich may still refuse to sell to any potential purchasers from the UK or America.
The government has now chastised City owner Mansour, with Spanish media AS reporting that they are ‘going after’ the UAE’s minister of presidential affairs.
Mansour recently met with Al-Assad during the latter’s first visit to the UAE since the Syrian civil war began 11 years ago, and the encounter has been criticized.
“It is the UK’s firm belief that – in the absence of a change in behaviour by the Syrian regime – strengthening ties undermines the prospect of a lasting and inclusive peace in Syria,” a statement by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, told the Athletic.
Bryant, the first MP to speak out against Abramovich, has now joined the chorus of condemnation, questioning Mansour’s eligibility to own a Premier League club.
The Rhondda MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia questioned if Mansour was a ‘fit and decent person,’ referring to the Football Association and Premier League tests for new owners.
He said that it would be ‘nice to see the back’ of the City owner, who purchased the club in 2008 and has overseen an unprecedented time of success for the team.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Bryant added, “What is it that people don’t get? There’s been a form of barbarous, sustained murder going on in Syria, run jointly by Assad, and now Putin is doing exactly the same in a barbaric war of aggression against innocent sovereign Ukraine.
“And some people want to meet up with the bully boys?”
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, has recently become embroiled in the Chelsea saga, calling on Blues fans to cease shouting Abramovich’s name.
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British Government accused of ‘pursuing’ Manchester City owners after Roman Abramovich with Mansour’s eligibility to own a Premier League club questioned
