Erling Haaland and his father, Alf-Inge, have purchased luxury properties in Abu Dhabi, with the reported £7.5 million price tag placing the deals in the spotlight as Manchester City faces scrutiny over its financial rule breaches.
The Norwegian striker acquired a residence at the newly built Ohana Development on Yas Island, in the United Arab Emirates capital.
His 53-year-old father has also bought a property within the same complex, which has strong commercial and sporting links to Manchester City.
The purchases come as the Premier League club challenges a guilty verdict delivered by an independent commission over serious breaches of financial regulations.
Haaland Backs Manchester City Amid Financial Controversy
Haaland publicly expressed his support for Manchester City before the team’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, the 26-year-old called on the club’s players and supporters to remain united and positive despite the controversy surrounding the verdict.
“We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive no matter what happens in life,” Haaland said.
He also encouraged the club’s supporters to maintain their enthusiasm, adding: “We have to stick together and we have to spread the love to each other. Stick together and enjoy the ride and smile.”
Haaland subsequently scored as City secured a 3-0 victory over Liverpool, marking their first match since the independent commission’s findings became public.
His comments echoed the position of Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi-based ownership group, which is fiercely appealing the ruling.
Luxury Development Has Strong Manchester City Connections
The properties purchased by Haaland and his father are located at the Ohana Development, a luxury residential complex on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
The development has a substantial Manchester City presence, including a club training academy and a dedicated City Lounge.
The team’s logo and branding also feature throughout the complex.
Haaland previously recorded a video message for the project’s launch, an event that also welcomed his father and Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s former manager.
The striker’s decision to purchase property at the development places him alongside his father in a residential project closely associated with the club and its Abu Dhabi connections.
Property prices at the complex are reportedly as high as £7.5 million.
Commission Finds Manchester City Guilty of Financial Breaches
The property purchases come against the backdrop of a major ruling concerning Manchester City’s financial dealings.
An independent commission found the club guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
The findings concerned a nine-season period spanning 2009 to 2018.
According to the ruling, Manchester City used what were described as sham commercial agreements to disguise more than £900 million in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners.
The commission also found that the arrangements artificially inflated the club’s reported revenues and understated its costs.
City’s owners have strongly contested the findings and are appealing the verdict.
Guardiola has also publicly supported the club following the decision, joining figures associated with Manchester City in defending the organisation amid the controversy.
Haaland’s Property Portfolio Extends Beyond Abu Dhabi
The purchase adds to Haaland’s existing real estate holdings across several countries.
An Architectural Digest article published in June reported that the footballer’s property portfolio included two homes in England, alongside residences in Marbella, Malaga and Oslo.
The Abu Dhabi acquisition represents another addition to the striker’s international property interests, while his father has independently purchased a home at the same Yas Island development.
Maresca Tells Manchester City to Focus on Winning Matches
Following City’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool, manager Enzo Maresca dismissed the controversy surrounding the club’s conviction as “noise”, arguing that the team needed to concentrate on its performances.
“The noise will always be there so we need to learn how to deal with that but at the same time we need to try and bring our noise, which is win games, which is what we have done today,” Maresca said.
He pointed to the reaction of City’s travelling supporters at the end of the match, noting that their singing had provided the atmosphere he wanted the team to create.
“All the away games are going to be with noise so we need to learn how to deal with the noise,” he added.
Maresca reiterated that winning matches and hearing the supporters sing should remain the team’s focus, rather than allowing the surrounding controversy to dominate attention.
