Etihad Airways is considering legal action over the Premier League’s handling of Manchester City’s financial case. Here is the latest on the verdict, appeal, and sanctions process.
Yes, Etihad Airways is considering legal action against the Premier League, but it has not filed a case. Manchester City’s principal sponsor said on September 30 that it would seek legal counsel after the publication of an independent commission’s findings, which the airline believes created damaging implications for its reputation. The development comes as Manchester City challenges the commission’s findings through its own appeal. The commission found the club guilty of serious financial-rule breaches covering nine seasons, but the overall disciplinary process is not yet complete because the appeal and separate sanction process remain outstanding.
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What Is The Status Of Manchester City’s Verdict?
The independent commission published its Core Decision on September 29, finding Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. It also upheld three of four charges concerning the club’s failure to cooperate with the investigation.
Under Premier League rules, the commission’s decision has been classified as a “final award,” allowing the league to publish a redacted version of its findings. However, that does not make the wider disciplinary process final. Manchester City retained the right to appeal, while the question of sanctions was reserved for a separate hearing. The commission found that Manchester City used “sham” commercial arrangements that artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million during the period under review. The club has rejected the findings and maintains that it is innocent of the accusations.
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When Will Manchester City’s Appeal Be Heard?
Manchester City lodged its appeal at 7 p.m. on October 1, ahead of the October 2 deadline. The case will be heard privately by an independent three-member Appeal Board. The Premier League’s fast-track rules state that an appeal hearing should take place within 12 weeks of the appeal being lodged, followed by a decision within 30 days of the hearing concluding. Reuters reported that it remains unclear whether any sanction will be announced before the appeal is heard.
The sanction process is separate from the appeal. The independent commission will hold another private hearing to determine the punishment for the breaches, with possible measures under the rules including fines, points deductions, and other sporting sanctions. That leaves the case at a clear stage: the commission has issued its findings, Manchester City has appealed them, and no sanction has yet been imposed.
Why Is Etihad Considering Action?
Etihad’s concern centres on the public implications of the findings rather than a confirmed legal dispute already before a court. The airline said it was not named in the redacted published decision and “categorically rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in improper commercial arrangements. Etihad also said the Premier League never contacted or engaged with the airline during the process, meaning it had no opportunity to provide information or respond to matters it believes could affect its reputation.
Etihad has been Manchester City’s principal sponsor since 2009 and remains publicly supportive of the club while the appeal continues. Its next step is therefore legal consultation on what options and recourse may be available, rather than a confirmed lawsuit. For now, the two matters are moving on separate tracks. Manchester City is challenging the commission’s findings through the appeal process, while Etihad is reviewing its own legal options following the publication and communication of those findings. Could Etihad’s legal review lead to a separate case against the Premier League?
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