Podcast episode examines political defence of Club
A recent episode of Today in Focus examines the political fallout after the prime minister publicly defended Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners following a finding described as one of the biggest cheating scandals in British sporting history. The programme asks why Andy Burnham — who led Manchester as mayor for almost a decade — also intervened to defend the club’s ownership, and what that reveals about links between local politicians and the United Arab Emirates.
Walking the modern city
Presenter and city resident Helen Pidd walks through contemporary Manchester in the episode, outlining the visible changes brought by investment from Abu Dhabi and other Emirati sources. The piece aims to show how high-profile funding has altered the urban landscape, affected local politics and raised questions about influence and access.
Reporting and perspective
The episode features reporting from Josh Halliday, the Guardian’s North of England editor, who helps place individual decisions and public statements in the wider context of Manchester’s recent redevelopment and the role of foreign capital. The programme explores whether political defence of the club reflects broader economic ties between civic leaders and wealthy external investors.
Public engagement
Listeners are invited to engage with the conversation; the producers encouraged comments and questions to be sent to tif.questions@theguardian.com. The episode seeks to balance reporting on the legal and sporting controversy with an account of the city’s evolving relationship with overseas backers.