Stadium green light is boost to Man City coffers
MEGA-RICH Manchester City stand to strengthen their position further after being formally granted permission to make the Etihad Stadium the second biggest ground in English football.
The Premier League title favourites plan to add a total of 14,500 extra seats, taking capacity to more than 62,000, in time for the 2015-16 season. Only Old Trafford, home of fierce rivals Manchester United, holds more spectators, with room for almost 76,000.
City’s planned modifications, which received planning permission yesterday from councillors, will not come cheap, but the club have deeper pockets than any of their domestic rivals due to their ownership by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Crucially, the spending can also be deducted from calculations relating to European financial fair play rules, meaning they will not be penalised if the cost of the work takes them over agreed caps on losses. The enlarged stadium is likely to ultimately help City generate more matchday income, resulting in the club having even greater spending power.