Dubai (AFP) – UAE airline Etihad, Manchester City’s main sponsor, has said it is considering legal action against the Premier League after the bombshell ruling against the English football giant over Premier League financial rule breaches. It was announced this week that the Abu Dhabi-backed club was found guilty of more than 100 breaches of financial rules in the world’s richest domestic league.
An independent commission found the Abu Dhabi-backed club arranged “sham” contracts with a number of commercial partners to artificially inflate its revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018. In that time, City won the Premier League title three times and also lifted one FA Cup and three League Cups.
“Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements,” an Etihad spokesperson said in a statement released late Wednesday. The airline, which is the club’s main shirt sponsor and has the name rights to the club’s stadium, said that it was “deeply concerned” by how the matter was communicated to the public.
“The Premier League’s public communication of the Commission’s findings, following a period of selective leaks and reporting, has further created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings,” the spokesperson said. “Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests.”
The likely punishment is uncertain but, according to Premier League rules, City could face a substantial points deduction, a fine or even expulsion from the top division. The 10-time English champions, who continue to deny any wrongdoing, have vowed to appeal and have until Friday to do so.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the disciplinary case and the decision by an independent commission as the “most significant in Premier League history.” He said City “systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade” and said the league was committed to a swift resolution.
© 2024 AFP
