Former Newcastle Director Urges Premier League to Build Bridges with Manchester City

Amanda Staveley, who was instrumental in brokering Abu Dhabi's acquisition of Manchester City in 2008, has called for the Premier League and the club to pursue reconciliation rather than severe sanctions.

Manchester City were found guilty of 115 charges related to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a seven-year investigation. The club denies the charges and has lodged an appeal. A potential sanction could include relegation, with an independent commission to decide the outcome.

Staveley, who previously served as a director at Newcastle United, suggested that both parties should focus on "building bridges" to avoid a detrimental outcome.

Speaking at the Leaders Week London conference, Staveley emphasized the importance of fostering positive relationships within the league. "You've got so much pressure on football," she stated. "I think we should just focus on the future, getting it right and trying to build bridges with our neighbours."

She acknowledged the complexities faced by the Premier League in managing disputes among its 20 member clubs, where differing interests create significant pressure. "As an executive, you're always pulled, you're always being threatened to be sued by one club," Staveley noted, highlighting the difficulty in navigating such scenarios.

Staveley stressed the need to protect the integrity and appeal of the Premier League on a global scale. "With how important the Premier League is, we have such an exciting league," she said. "European football is potentially the most watched sport in the world and we should really nurture this asset. We should nurture our fans and do everything we can to resolve the issues that exist today."