Manchester City’s main sponsor, airline Etihad Airways, is considering legal action against the Premier League after the English club was found guilty of a scheme to inflate its commercial revenues by more than £900 million over almost a decade.
In a statement, Etihad Airways “categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements.”
The airline added: “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 UAE-based airline, which has been Manchester City’s main sponsor since 2009, also expressed its frustration at not having had the opportunity to participate in proceedings that have now reflected “adversely on the airline.”
“Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly. The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision,” the company said.
Etihad therefore believes that “the Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings have been presented.”
An independent commission concluded that Manchester City used “fictitious” commercial contracts as part of a scheme to inflate revenues and understate expenses by more than £900 million over almost a decade, according to the Premier League.