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

Etihad Airways, Manchester City's principal shirt sponsor for more than fifteen years, is weighing up legal action against the Premier League after the competition published the independent commission's ruling that found the club guilty of more than 100 financial rule breaches. The Emirati carrier issued a statement on Tuesday night flatly rejecting the tribunal's conclusions and warning of the reputational harm it says has been caused by the way the verdict was made public.

• Etihad Airways is considering suing the Premier League after the Manchester City verdict was published.
• The airline insists it was never involved in improper commercial arrangements and criticises not being consulted during the investigation.
• The independent commission found the club artificially inflated its revenues by £900m through sham sponsorship deals.
• Manchester City have until Friday to appeal the decision.
• Etihad has been City's main shirt sponsor since 2009 and holds the naming rights to the Etihad Stadium.

Why Etihad Airways is weighing legal action against the Premier League

The airline's response comes after the independent commission ruled that Manchester City artificially inflated their revenues by £900m through sham sponsorship contracts secretly funded by the owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. Although the airline is not identified in the public version of the report, Etihad believes the Premier League's communication of the findings has directly damaged its image.

Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements.

In its statement, the UAE state-owned company argues that the Premier League never contacted it during the proceedings, meaning it had no opportunity to provide documentation or ensure that the information relied upon by the commission was accurate and fair.

The partnership between Etihad and Manchester City since 2009

Etihad landed at Manchester City in 2009 as the club's main shirt sponsor and became the driving force behind its economic transformation. Two years later, in 2011, the two parties announced a ten-year stadium naming rights deal worth £400m. That agreement was extended on improved terms in 2021, cementing the airline's brand on the Etihad Stadium and across the visual identity of the English champions.

The club has consistently defended the legality of those agreements and, after the verdict was announced, chief executive Ferran Soriano referred to the commission's decision as merely an opinion. Etihad has used the same wording in its statement, aligning its message with the Manchester club and making clear it will stand by City throughout the appeals process.

What Etihad's official statement says about the ruling

The airline sharply criticises the Premier League's handling of the verdict's public communication. It claims the findings were released following a period of selective leaks and partial reporting, and argues that this sequence has worsened the negative impact on its reputation even though its name does not appear in the published text.

The statement also stresses that the Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of how the findings have been presented. Etihad says the lack of clarity and transparency, combined with the selective disclosure of information, has had damaging implications for the airline.

Manchester City's appeal and the immediate calendar

Manchester City have until Friday to formally appeal the independent commission's decision. The club has denied the accusations since the case first emerged and has insisted it holds irrefutable evidence supporting its version of events. The club chaired by Khaldoon Al Mubarak is confident that a higher authority will review the ruling and overturn conclusions it considers mistaken.

While the appeal is resolved, Pep Guardiola's side continues its Premier League campaign, a competition it has dominated over the past decade with eight titles since 2012. The case, however, has opened a period of uncertainty over potential sporting and financial sanctions that could shape the club's immediate future.

The role of the Etihad Stadium in the dispute

The stadium naming rights agreement is one of the central pieces of the financial puzzle examined by the commission. The deal signed in 2011 and extended ten years later has allowed City to multiply its commercial revenues and compete with Europe's wealthiest clubs while, according to its defence, complying with financial fair play rules.

For Etihad, the link with the stadium and with City's shirt goes far beyond economics. The airline describes it as a partnership that has connected the brand with millions of supporters around the world, and it stresses that its commitment to the club and its fan base remains strong regardless of the dispute with the Premier League.

Potential legal and sporting scenarios for Manchester City

The legal front becomes more complicated with the possible addition of Etihad as an interested party. If the airline ultimately decides to sue the Premier League, the case would take on an extra dimension and test the governance mechanisms of English football. The company has announced it will seek legal counsel on the options available to protect its interests.

On the sporting side, City could face sanctions ranging from a financial penalty to a points deduction or even relegation, although any final decision remains subject to the outcome of the appeal. The club maintains its innocence and is using every legal avenue to try to overturn a ruling it considers deeply unfair.