Etihad Airways considering legal action after Premier League commission decision

Etihad Airways said on Tuesday it is considering legal action against the Premier League after the league published the independent commission’s core decision on more than 100 findings of financial rule breaches by Manchester City.

The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of artificially inflating their revenues by £900m through "sham" sponsorship contracts that were secretly funded by the owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. Etihad has been the club’s principal shirt sponsor since 2009 and was described in the statement as the main source of the initial transformation of City’s revenues. In 2011 City announced a 10-year naming rights deal worth £400m for the Etihad Stadium, which was subsequently extended on improved terms in 2021. City have until Friday to appeal the commission’s ruling.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening Etihad said it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements." The airline added that the commission’s published opinion had "damaging implications" for Etihad despite the company not being named in the redacted published findings.

Etihad accused the Premier League of failing to consult the airline during the inquiry, saying: "At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission’s opinion." The statement continued: "Etihad was therefore never given the opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, to provide relevant information, or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline."

The airline criticised the manner in which the league communicated the commission’s conclusions, stating: "Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly." Etihad said the "lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision."

Affirming its relationship with the club, Etihad said: "Etihad is immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The Etihad name has been proudly carried by the club and its stadium for many years, as part of a partnership that has connected us with millions of supporters around the world." The statement added that Etihad "will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests."

City have until Friday to lodge an appeal against the commission’s core decision, and Etihad said it stands "with the club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as Manchester City challenges the commission’s conclusions through the processes available to it."