Etihad weighs legal response to Manchester City ruling

Etihad Airways is seeking legal counsel regarding potential measures after dismissing the implications of an independent commission's findings that Manchester City violated Premier League financial regulations. The UAE-based airline, which has been Manchester City's key commercial partner since 2009, categorically rejects any suggestion that it participated in improper arrangements.

Etihad is now considering its legal options to safeguard its interests following the commission's published opinion and the Premier League's announcement of the findings. The airline also criticized the process, stating that the Premier League failed to communicate with the airline during the proceedings related to the commission's review, denying it the chance to present relevant information or address misrepresentations.

Etihad expressed deep concern over the public presentation of the case, alleging that unclear and selective disclosures had created damaging consequences for the airline, although it was not named in the redacted findings. The dispute stems from the commission's conclusion that Manchester City committed serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules from 2009-10 to 2017-18.

The league stated that the commission found Manchester City arranged contracts with various commercial partners, misrepresenting the true agreements and using them to inflate revenue and decrease costs. According to the Premier League's statement, Manchester City's commercial partners were only required to pay a portion of sponsorship fees, while the rest was funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development, the entity that owned Manchester City.

The commission also found that City submitted distorted accounts, concealed the actual financial state from auditors and football regulators, and violated Premier League and UEFA spending limits. Three of four charges alleging inadequate cooperation were upheld. The Premier League claimed that the schemes artificially increased revenue and reduced costs by over £900 million during the examined period.

The findings followed disciplinary charges taken against Manchester City in February 2023 after a league investigation spanning several years. Manchester City denies the commission's conclusions, asserting its innocence and stating it will challenge the findings through the available appeal process. Sanctions have not yet been imposed and will be addressed separately.

Etihad's involvement adds a commercial aspect to a dispute that initially centered on Manchester City and the Premier League. The airline has had a strong partnership with the club for over 15 years, including through shirt sponsorship and the naming rights for the Etihad Stadium. Etihad affirmed its commitment to the club, its supporters, and the broader Etihad community while Manchester City challenges the commission's conclusions.

The airline emphasized procedural fairness and the reputational implications of the published findings, arguing that adverse conclusions about Etihad emerged without sufficient opportunity for the company to provide information or ensure the accuracy of the material utilized in the process. The commission's ruling does not determine the sporting penalties Manchester City may face, as that matter will be resolved in a separate disciplinary stage. The club's challenge to the findings may impact the timetable for any final resolution.