Haaland buys Abu Dhabi home a week after Man City's 114-charge guilty verdict

Erling Haaland has bought a property in Abu Dhabi, confirming the purchase via a video message played at a launch event for the Ohana Residences development at the Etihad Arena in the UAE — arriving just one week after an independent panel found Manchester City guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.

“Hi everyone, I’m so happy because I’m joining the Manchester City Ohana project,” Haaland said in the video. “We will be neighbours in Abu Dhabi… I just got a house and so did my father.” His father, Alfie Haaland, was a special guest at the event and took to the stage following the announcement. Former City manager Pep Guardiola also attended, participating in a question-and-answer session.

The Ohana development is a collaboration between Ohana Residences and Manchester City. Properties range from over £770,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse to a custom estate priced above £7.25 million. The complex will feature a Man City Training Academy, a City café, a City terrace, fine dining, and its own beach and canalside areas. Buyers also receive a 10-year UAE visa, as the property values exceed the country’s investment threshold.

The timing of the announcement places it squarely in the shadow of City’s ongoing legal situation. The Premier League confirmed that the three-person independent panel found City had inflated their revenue by almost £900 million between 2009 and 2018 through what it described as ‘sham’ sponsorship deals. City have disputed the findings, stating they hold ‘irrefutable evidence’ of their innocence, and have launched a formal appeal against the verdict.

Should the appeal fail and the guilty verdict stand, the club face potentially severe sanctions determined by the original panel. These could include points deductions, transfer bans, or expulsion from the Premier League. There is also reported speculation that some Premier League rivals could pursue separate legal action against the club.

City’s focus on the pitch in the meantime remains unbroken, with the club heading into a Premier League fixture at Anfield against Liverpool having won all of their league games so far this season.