Etihad Airways considers legal action against Premier League over Manchester City case

Etihad Airways, the main sponsor of Manchester City, is exploring legal options against the Premier League following the release of an independent commission's findings into the club's financial rules case. The Abu Dhabi-based airline expressed concern that the Premier League's communication of the findings created damaging implications for Etihad, despite the airline not being named in the published decision. Etihad strongly rejected any suggestion of improper commercial arrangements with Manchester City.

The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules over a nine-season period. The league stated that the commission discovered the club used "sham" commercial arrangements with several sponsors to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by over £900 million. Etihad was not contacted or engaged by the Premier League during the investigation and proceedings, leaving the airline without an opportunity to provide relevant information or respond to issues affecting its reputation.

According to a statement issued to The Times, Etihad argued that the Premier League's public communication of the commission's findings, following selective leaks and reporting, had damaged the airline's reputation. Etihad is considering available legal avenues to protect its interests, although no formal proceedings have been filed against the Premier League. The airline has been Manchester City's principal sponsor since 2009 and remains a major commercial partner of the club.

The dispute follows the publication of the independent commission's judgment into the Premier League's 115 charges against Manchester City. The Premier League said the commission found that City arranged commercial contracts with sponsors in a manner that did not reflect actual financial arrangements. Some sponsors were required to pay only part of the sponsorship fees, with the remainder allegedly funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, which owned the club.

The Premier League said the commission concluded that the arrangements artificially increased City's reported revenue and reduced costs, allowing the club to appear compliant with applicable financial regulations. The league also found City guilty of three of four charges relating to its alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation. Manchester City has rejected the commission's conclusions and intends to appeal, arguing that the decision contains material errors of law, principle, and fact.

Despite the dispute, Etihad has reaffirmed its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The airline's focus is on the potential reputational consequences of the Premier League's publication of the commission's findings and the absence of an opportunity to respond during the proceedings. Etihad maintains that it has not engaged in improper commercial arrangements and is seeking legal advice on available options.

Manchester City now faces a separate appeal process over the commission's findings, with the Premier League yet to impose a sanction on the club. City has until Friday to lodge its appeal, and the outcome of that process could determine the next stage of one of the longest-running financial disputes in Premier League history.

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