By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Manchester City have dispelled rumours that they are poised to expand into Australia by purchasing A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers.
The English Premier League club were reported to be willing to pay about A$15 million (£9 million) for Wanderers but have been quick to stress that they have not even considered taking over the 2012-13 A-League champions.
In May, City announced a partnership with baseball giants New York Yankees to form a new Major League Soccer franchise. New York City Football Club will enter the MLS in 2015 after a deal thought to be worth $100 million (£66 million) was struck.
But no expansion will be taking place Down Under, the club said.
“Contrary to media reports in Australia, Manchester City Football Club has expressed no interest whatsoever in the purchase of any stake in the Western Sydney Wanderers,” the club said in a statement.
On Monday, The Australian Financial Review reported that City and another unnamed English Premier League club had asked for a 50-page document about Wanderers compiled by investment bank UBS.
But the City statement added: “Also contrary to reports, the club has not requested, nor has it received, any 50-page information document about the sale. The matter is not under consideration.”
Wanderers are the A-League’s newest outfit, having only been formed in 2012, but owners Football Federation Australia are reportedly looking for a buyer.
However the club has renewed its 18-year partnership with Heineken as City’s Official UK Beer Partner on match days and during summer concerts, until the end of the 2017/18 season.
Heineken’s stable of brands include Foster’s (perhaps Wanderers had had a few too many of them), Heineken, Strongbow, Bulmers, Amstel and John Smith’s, which will be served in the grounds concourse bars and hospitality facilities.
Manchester City has recently rolled out 15 new beer buggies as part of the Club’s match day operations, in addition to its existing fast-pour tap system that can dispense a pint in 6 seconds.
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