Man City's main sponsor, Etihad Airways, is considering legal action against the Premier League

Amid the controversy surrounding Manchester City, the club's main sponsor, Etihad Airways, has also spoken out - and criticised the Premier League. The airline is even considering legal action.

According to media reports, Manchester City's main sponsor, Etihad Airways, is considering legal action against the Premier League. The airline reportedly feels implicated by the reasoning behind the ruling, despite the fact that, according to its own statements, the company was not consulted.

The main sponsor objects to being associated with any wrongdoing as a result of the ruling and categorically rejects this portrayal. However, it intends to maintain its long-standing partnership with Manchester City, which has been in place since 2009.

Pep Guardiola, the Citizens' long-serving and successful manager, has also rallied behind the club and pledged his support. It was stated that the Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which the findings were presented.

The club will conduct a legal review to determine what legal options and remedies are available to protect its own interests. Severe penalties loom The commission's findings essentially relate to the period from 2009 to 2018.

During this period, City were crowned English champions three times. The allegations range from false statements regarding finances and sponsorship revenue to incomplete information about managers' and players' salaries.

The Sky Blues are alleged to have artificially inflated their revenue, amongst other things, by means of bogus contracts with sponsors, whilst simultaneously driving down costs. The commission estimated the impact of this scheme during the period in question at more than 900 million pounds (equivalent to around 1.05 billion euros).

The Premier League also accuses City of a lack of cooperation in the investigation. City maintains its innocence The investigations were triggered at the time by the "Football Leaks" revelations published in *Der Spiegel*.

Following several years of investigations, the Premier League had already charged the club in February 2023. Apart from the already enormous damage to the club's reputation, the consequences for the 2023 Champions League winners remain to be seen.