Man City sponsor Etihad Airways considering legal action against PL

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Manchester City’s principal sponsor, Etihad Airways, said on Monday it is seeking legal advice and may take action against the Premier League after an independent commission found the club guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the league’s financial rules.

Etihad’s statement, released through its corporate communications team, said the airline “categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements.” The carrier added that the Premier League “did not engage with” Etihad during the commission’s proceedings and that the league’s “public communication of the commission’s findings” had been “selective” and “lacked clarity and transparency.” “Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests,” the statement said.

Manchester City, which has denied any wrongdoing, issued its own response describing the commission’s opinion as “disappointing and surprising.” The club’s chief executive, Ferran Soriano, called the process a “Premier League conspiracy theory” in a video message to players and staff.

In a written statement the club said it is “innocent of the accusations” and that “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions.” City announced it will pursue “all appropriate regulatory and legal forums” and will appeal the decision on the basis that the opinion contains “clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.”

The independent commission’s findings, released on Tuesday, said Manchester City had “significantly breached” both Premier League and UEFA spending limits and had broken “well over 100” Premier League regulations. The report noted that the club filed accounts that concealed the true state of its finances and that it “failed to cooperate and act in good faith” during the investigation. Three of the four alleged breaches were upheld, while one charge was not proven.

The commission also described the length of the process as “regrettable,” with the hearing taking place between September and December 2024.

Etihad’s involvement with the club dates back to 2009, when the airline signed a ten‑year sponsorship deal reportedly worth £400 million, a contract that has since been extended. The partnership has seen the airline’s name attached to the club’s stadium and a range of global marketing activities that connect the brand with millions of supporters worldwide. In its statement, Etihad emphasized that “our commitment to Manchester City, its supporters and our shared partnership remains strong.”

Other sponsors have largely remained silent. Sky Sports reported that Lucozade, Kellogg’s and Revolut declined to comment while the independent commission’s findings are still being examined. Majestic Wines refused to say whether it will continue its commercial partnership with the club. Sky Sports is still awaiting responses from Sure, Durex, EA Sports, CP Company, Britvic, SilentNight, OKX, Gaucho and Champneys.

The Premier League has not yet responded to requests for comment. Sky Sports’ chief correspondent, Kaveh Solhekol, noted that the league’s decision to publish a redacted version of the commission’s opinion, without consulting Etihad, appears to have prompted the airline’s legal threat. Solhekol said the judgment “said that Manchester City’s owners had been inflating their sponsorship income, and that some of City’s sponsorship deals were ‘sham’ deals that weren’t real contracts.”

The dispute arrives as the Premier League continues to enforce its financial‑fair‑play rules across Europe. UEFA’s own regulations, which limit club spending to a proportion of revenue, have been a source of tension for clubs with large commercial backers. The league’s disciplinary framework, which relies on independent commissions to assess alleged breaches, has faced criticism for perceived delays and lack of transparency.

Etihad’s claim that the league’s communication “created damaging implications” underscores the reputational stakes for commercial partners when clubs are found to have contravened financial rules.

For Malaysian and regional stakeholders, the case highlights the broader risk that multinational sponsors face when their partners are embroiled in regulatory disputes. Etihad’s legal posture may set a precedent for how airlines and other global brands protect their interests in sports sponsorships, especially in markets where football clubs are increasingly reliant on commercial revenue streams.

The airline’s statement that it remains “immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City” suggests it will continue to support the club, but only after the legal and regulatory issues are resolved.

The next steps will involve Etihad’s legal counsel reviewing the commission’s findings and the Premier League’s public communications, while Manchester City prepares an appeal that could extend the dispute into 2027. Both parties have indicated they will use “all appropriate regulatory and legal forums,” meaning the matter may be heard before the Premier League’s arbitration panel, the Court of Arbitration for Sport or national courts.

The outcome will determine whether the airline’s sponsorship remains intact and how the Premier League’s financial‑rule enforcement is perceived by sponsors across the region.