Etihad Airways has reaffirmed its long-standing relationship with Manchester City after an independent commission found the Premier League club guilty of serious breaches of the league’s financial regulations.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline, which has been a major commercial partner of Manchester City since 2009 and whose name is attached to the club’s stadium, said it categorically rejects any finding or implication that it was involved in improper commercial arrangements.
The statement comes after the Premier League published the findings of an independent commission that concluded Manchester City had breached financial rules over a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18. The commission found that the club had arranged or relied on contracts that misrepresented the underlying agreements with certain commercial partners and had submitted misstated financial information.
Etihad Rejects Any Improper Arrangement
In its response, Etihad stressed that it was not named in the redacted published findings and strongly rejected any suggestion that the airline had participated in improper commercial arrangements.
The airline also criticised the Premier League’s handling and public communication of the commission’s findings, arguing that the way the information was presented had created reputational implications for the Etihad brand.
According to Etihad, the Premier League never directly engaged with the airline during the process connected with the commission’s opinion.
The airline said it was therefore not given an opportunity to be represented, provide relevant information, or address the accuracy and fairness of information that could now be interpreted as reflecting negatively on the company.
Concerns Over Transparency
Etihad said it was particularly concerned about what it described as a lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the publication of the findings.
The airline argued that selective disclosure and public reporting had created damaging implications despite Etihad not being named in the published decision.
The company has therefore indicated that it will seek appropriate legal advice regarding the options available to protect its interests. Reuters reported that the Premier League had not immediately commented on Etihad’s statement.
The development places the airline’s own interests alongside a much wider dispute surrounding Manchester City and the Premier League’s financial regulations.
A Partnership Dating Back to 2009
Despite the controversy, Etihad made clear that its relationship with Manchester City remains important.
The airline has been a commercial partner of the club since 2009, while the stadium has carried the Etihad name for many years. The partnership has helped connect the airline’s brand with Manchester City’s global supporter base.
Etihad said it remains proud of the long-standing relationship and reaffirmed its commitment to the club, its supporters, and the wider partnership.
The airline’s continued support comes as Manchester City challenges the independent commission’s conclusions through the available appeal processes.
What the Commission Found
The independent commission’s findings concern Manchester City’s financial conduct over nine seasons.
The Premier League said the commission found that City arranged “sham” contracts with commercial partners that artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs. It also concluded that the club filed misstated accounts and concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators.
The commission also upheld the majority of allegations concerning the club’s failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
Manchester City has rejected the findings and is expected to challenge the conclusions through the appeal process.
Protecting the Etihad Brand
For Etihad, the issue is distinct from the wider question of Manchester City’s financial conduct.
The airline’s position is that it should not be associated with allegations concerning improper commercial arrangements when, according to its statement, it was not consulted during the relevant process and was not named in the published findings.
That distinction is central to the company’s response.
By seeking legal advice, Etihad is now examining what options may be available to address the reputational and commercial implications it says have resulted from the Premier League’s presentation of the case.
Standing Behind a Long-Term Partnership
Despite the dispute, Etihad has made its position on Manchester City clear: its commitment to the partnership remains strong.
The relationship has become one of the most recognisable connections between a global airline brand and an elite European football club, with the Etihad name prominently associated with Manchester City and its stadium.
The airline’s latest statement therefore represents both a defence of its own commercial reputation and a reaffirmation of a partnership that has lasted for more than 15 years.
As Manchester City pursues the next stage of its legal challenge, Etihad is preparing to examine its own position separately.
For now, the airline says it remains committed to Manchester City while seeking legal counsel on the appropriate steps to protect its interests.
