Etihad threatens action against the Premier over Manchester City case

Etihad Airways, sponsor of the Citizens, announced last night its intention to consider legal action against the Premier League after the commission's conclusions on the Manchester City case. The relationship between Manchester City and Etihad is at the centre of the dispute, and the company, from the United Arab Emirates, contests the verdict that accuses the club of inflating revenue by £900 million.

Independent commission accuses fake sponsors

The investigation established that Manchester City had artificially increased its revenue by about £900 million through sponsorship contracts deemed fictitious. According to the report, those agreements would have been financed by the owners themselves through the Abu Dhabi United Group.

Etihad has been one of the most important partnerships in the City’s economic growth. It has been the main shirt sponsor since 2009 and in 2011 the club signed a ten‑year deal worth around £400 million for the stadium‑naming rights, later renewed in 2021 with improved terms.

In the statement released last night, Etihad strongly rejected the guilty verdict, calling it unfounded and damaging to the company’s reputation. The airline emphasized that it is never directly named in the public version of the report.

"Etihad has never had the opportunity to be represented, to provide relevant information or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the information used to reach conclusions that can now be interpreted as harmful to the company," the note reads.

Etihad also criticised the Premier League for a lack of transparency, accusing it of disseminating information partially and creating reputational damage without proper consultation.

Despite the storm, Etihad confirmed its intention to continue the relationship with Manchester City, stating: "We are proud of our long‑standing partnership with the club. Our commitment to Manchester City, its fans and our community remains strong."

Manchester City has already announced an appeal against the commission’s decision, and now one of its biggest sponsors is preparing to enter the legal battle against the Premier League.