Etihad considers legal action against Premier League
Manchester City's main sponsor says it was not consulted on the club's financial findings.
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Etihad Airways is considering legal action against the Premier League following the publication of findings concerning Manchester City. The airline says it was not involved in the proceedings and rejects any suggestion of improper commercial agreements.
An independent Premier League commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching financial rules over a prolonged period. The precise sanction against the club has yet to be determined. Etihad, a major City sponsor since 2009, is directing its criticism chiefly at the way the findings were communicated.
The airline says the publication could cast its name and commercial agreements in a suspicious light. Etihad says the company was not approached before the conclusions were made public and is therefore examining its legal options.
That does not mean Etihad will actually begin legal proceedings. The company has announced that it will seek legal advice. It is also still unclear against which party any proceedings would be directed and what damages or correction Etihad might seek.
The case touches on a broader dispute over the financial oversight of clubs. Sponsorship money is an important source of income for football organisations, but leagues want to prevent commercial contracts from being used to circumvent rules on income and expenditure. The commission therefore assessed City's agreements in a broader financial context.
Manchester City can still use the available procedures to challenge the findings and any potential sanction. The club has previously contested the commission's conclusions. Any possible action by Etihad is legally and substantively separate from that, even though both arise from the same financial case.
For supporters and other clubs, the main issue is what consequences the Premier League attaches to the ruling. These could range from a financial penalty to more severe sporting measures, but no definitive decision has yet been reported. Etihad has meanwhile made clear above all that it wants to protect its reputation and contractual position.
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Reporting by AP and Reuters confirms Etihad's intention and the financial findings concerning Manchester City. Possible sanctions and further legal steps are described as uncertain.
- confirmed Etihad is considering legal action and wants to seek legal advice. — Reuters and AP report this on the basis of statements and reporting on the case. source
- confirmed Etihad has been a major sponsor of Manchester City since 2009. — Reuters calls Etihad the main sponsor since 2009. source
- confirmed An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of prolonged breaches of financial rules. — The Premier League published the redacted decision; AP describes the findings. source
- confirmed A definitive sanction against Manchester City has not yet been reported. — AP describes the possible sanctions as future and uncertain. source
Editor's note
The financial findings against Manchester City and Etihad's intention to seek legal advice are established. An actual lawsuit, the precise damages and a Premier League sanction remain uncertain.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „etihad airways”
- RTL Nieuws — „etihad airways”
- NOS — „etihad airways”