Man City owners: All about City Football Group and Abu Dhabi ownership structure at Premier League club

The Premier League has released a shocking set of findings from its investigation into Manchester City, revealing that the club broke numerous financial regulations and subsequently attempted to obstruct the league's investigation.

The revelation has shone new light on the club's ownership group, which has embroiled the Premier League giants in a quagmire of violations that have put the club's future — and potentially its very existence — in jeopardy.

While there is no word yet on the potential punishments, fans fear the worst as the Premier League could attempt to bring harsh retribution on the team for its alleged insubordination.

The Sporting News brings you an overview of Man City's current ownership group, which has developed a vast network of football clubs around the world, with the Premier League giants as the flagship.

MORE: Premier League releases findings of Man City investigation — $1 billion in "sham" contracts

Who owns Man City?

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired City via his Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), a private investment and development company, in 2008.

As part of the club's Abu Dhabi-financed expansion, which includes satellite clubs in New York, Melbourne, and beyond, the City Football Group (CFG) was established in 2013.

As of July 2021, the CFG has been owned by Newton Investment and Development LLC, a company registered in Abu Dhabi and wholly owned by Mansour. US private equity firm Silver Lake have a significant shareholding of 18.1%, while China Media Capital is also a minority CFG shareholder.

These arrangements give City a greater relative distance from their affiliated state than you will find in Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United's relationships with QSI (of Qatar) and PIF (of Saudi Arabia). However, Mansour's fortune is derived from the Abu Dhabi Royal family. His brother, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the President of the United Arab Emirates, where Mansour is Deputy Prime Minister.

City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak also holds UAE and Abu Dhabi government portfolios and is the managing director and CEO of Abu Dhabi's sovereign investor Mubadala. City board member Simon Pearce is also Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, demonstrating another close link between the club and the upper echelons of government.

Who is Sheikh Mansour?

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and the brother of the current president of AUE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He acquired the club in 2008 after purchasing it from former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The 55-year-old has long been interested in sport ownership, chairing the UAE horse racing authority and owning a thoroughbred horse breeding farm since 2024. He is chairman of the Al Jazira sports company and has led the UAE's efforts to host various football events, including the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010.

Separate from City Football Group, Sheikh Mansour is the owner of Al Jazira, which is a UAE soccer club.

Who is Ferran Soriano at Man City?

Ferran Soriano is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Manchester City.

Appointed in September of 2012, Soriano oversees the day-to-day business operations and global strategy of the Premier League club.

The 59-year-old is of Catalan birth, hailing from Barcelona. He was educated first at UCLouvain in Belgium before earning his Masters degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York.

Soriano previously held an executive position (Economy Vice President) at Barcelona after being elected on Joan Laporta's ticket in 2003. He held that position for five years, acting as interim CEO at one point before resigning in 2008 along with other board members amidst a growing disagreement with Laporta. Shortly before Soriano's departure, Pep Guardiola was appointed Barcelona head coach,

In 2009, Soriano was elected as Chairman of Catalan airline Spanair amidst a government rescue operation, but the company did not survive after a rescue deal with Qatar Airways fell through, ceasing operations in January of 2012.

MORE: Ferran Soriano vows to fight Premier League charges, promises long process before conclusion

What clubs are part of City Football Group?

The CFG is Manchester City's ownership group and oversees a network that has now grown to 13 clubs across five continents.

* Joint ownership

Other clubs that have previously been part of City Football Group but have been sold include:

• Mumbai City (India) — Divested in 2025
• Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan) — Sold 20% ownership stake in 2026