Etihad Airways is considering possible legal action following the independent commission’s findings against City, with the club’s long-standing sponsor strongly rejecting any suggestion it was involved in improper commercial arrangements.
The airline issued a statement after the commission’s opinion was published, arguing that subsequent commentary had created damaging implications around its relationship with Man City.
Etihad was not identified in the commission’s redacted published opinion. However, the Abu Dhabi-based airline said it had not been approached by the Premier League during the process and is now taking legal advice over its options.
Etihad strongly rejects implications after City verdict
“Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements,” the company said.
According to The Guardian’s report on Etihad’s reaction, the airline also said: “At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission’s opinion.”
That is the central issue from Etihad’s perspective. While the airline was not identified in the published document, it believes commentary surrounding the findings has nevertheless created damaging implications about its commercial relationship with City.
Etihad has been one of City’s most prominent commercial partners since becoming the club’s shirt sponsor in 2009. The relationship was expanded in 2011 as part of a 10-year agreement, reported at the time to be worth £400m, which included naming rights for the Etihad Stadium and surrounding campus.
The airline’s intervention therefore brings another significant party into the fallout from the commission’s decision. Supporters have already been following the potential legal ramifications through our report on Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s position.
Etihad taking legal advice over its options
Etihad has not confirmed that proceedings will be launched. Instead, its statement said: “Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests.”
That leaves legal action as a possibility rather than an established next step. Manchester Evening News’ coverage of Etihad’s response also reports that the airline is considering its options following the commission’s findings.
The development comes as City consider their own next steps. The club has rejected the findings and said the commission’s opinion contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and is “unsafe”.
City’s wider response and appeal position were covered in our latest roundup of developments.
For Etihad, the immediate issue is its own reputation rather than City’s appeal. The airline has rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing and is now seeking advice on what action, if any, it can take to protect its interests.
That could yet create another legal strand to a case already moving in several directions. For now, though, Etihad is considering its options rather than taking the Premier League to court.
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