Abramovich sanctions: Manchester City’s own frozen-asset saga led to greatest era | Sport

Manchester City are one of the few clubs to have been able to compete with Chelsea in the Roman Abramovich era. They are also familiar with the issue of asset freezing.

Ironically, their own potentially disastrous experience with an owner whose vast personal wealth was frozen, and ultimately stripped, by a government has led to the most successful period in the club’s history.

Sheikh Mansour, the Manchester City owner a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, bought the club in 2008, filling a vacuum created after the turbulent 15-month reign of his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra.

The former Thai prime minister, now 72, bought City in June 2007 for £81.6 million amid much hype, promises of vast sums in investment and players and the hiring