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

Etihad Airways is considering legal action against the Premier League after its name was indirectly linked to findings in the independent commission's ruling on Manchester City's alleged financial breaches. The Abu Dhabi-based airline, Manchester City's main sponsor, said it "categorically rejects" the findings and conclusions in the decision and has begun seeking legal advice on how best to protect its interests.

The escalation follows the Premier League's publication on Tuesday of the long-awaited ruling, which concluded that Manchester City had concealed more than £830m in funding through a series of commercial agreements between 2009 and 2018. The club won eight trophies during that period.

According to the ruling, Manchester City claimed the agreements generated £949.94m. The commission found that only £119.25m represented legitimate revenue, with most of the funding coming from the club's owners, Abu Dhabi United Group.

It concluded there had been financial manipulation amounting to about £900m. Etihad rejects findings Etihad Airways was not named in the published version of the ruling.

However, the airline has been linked with Manchester City since 2009 through sponsorship of the club's stadium, shirt and training centre. In 2011, Etihad signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Manchester City worth £400m.

An Etihad spokesperson said: "Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that the company participated in any improper commercial arrangements." The airline added that the Premier League's handling of the commission's findings, following a period of leaks and selective reporting, had "created damaging repercussions for Etihad", despite the company not being named in the published and redacted ruling. "At no time did the Premier League contact or involve Etihad in the proceedings relating to the commission's opinion," the spokesperson said.

"As a result, Etihad was given no opportunity by the Premier League to represent itself, provide relevant information, or ensure the accuracy and fairness of the information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be perceived as damaging to the company."

Warning to Premier League Etihad also expressed "grave" concern about the way the case had been presented in the media.

"The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging repercussions for Etihad despite the company not being named in the published decision," it said. "The Premier League must accept responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings were presented." The airline said its commitment to Manchester City "remains strong", adding: "We stand with the club, its fans and the wider Etihad community as Manchester City challenges the commission's conclusions through the procedures available to it."