Etihad Weighs Legal Action Against Premier League

Etihad Airways, Manchester City's principal sponsor, said on Wednesday it is considering legal action against the Premier League after an independent commission found City guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the league's financial rules.

The commission ruled that between 2009/10 and 2017/18 City arranged "sham" contracts with a number of commercial partners as part of a "disguised funding scheme", artificially inflating the club's revenues by £830m. Etihad was not named in Tuesday's published judgment, but says the finding has "created damaging implications" for the airline.

Etihad has sponsored City since 2009. In a statement, the Abu Dhabi state carrier 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 Premier League never contacted it during the process, leaving it no chance to provide information or check facts before publication.

Etihad is now seeking legal advice "to protect its interests". Sky Sports News has contacted the Premier League for comment.

City, charged with more than 100 breaches in February 2023, continue to deny the allegations. Chief executive Ferran Soriano described the process to players and staff as a "Premier League conspiracy theory".

Should Etihad pursue a claim, it would open a second front in the dispute, with a City sponsor contesting the league's findings independently of the club's own response to the verdict.