Manchester City’s principal sponsor, Etihad Airways, says it is considering legal action against the Premier League after an independent commission’s findings that City breached financial rules. Multiple outlets report that the sponsor responds to the commission’s “core decision” and related communications that it says have damaging implications for the airline.
Etihad “categorically rejects” the guilty verdicts described by the commission, according to coverage. The airline is not described by the outlets as being named in the report, but it says the Premier League’s handling and messaging around the ruling affects it. The Athletic and other reports describe the commission’s conclusion as involving “sham” or artificially arranged sponsorship-linked contracts used to inflate revenue. Other outlets add detail that the sponsor is unhappy with how the Premier League communicated the findings.
While all accounts agree Etihad is considering legal action and disputes the verdict, outlets vary in emphasis. Some stress the potential for court action; others focus more on the allegations within the commission’s decision and Etihad’s denial of any wrongdoing.
