Etihad Airways threatens legal action against the Premier League over the verdict that Manchester City used sham contracts worth £830.69 million

Posts cited

1. [27] Minab G. · @minab12503214 · 06:41

   Massive big news: The Premier League football club’s Emirati chair, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, was granted immunity six years ago in a move that could complicate any legal action resulting from findings that it artificially inflated its finances by more than £900mn. @FT

   Open on X

2. [31] Nick Harris · @sportingintel · 23:39

   So Etihad are threatening to sue the Premier League over the PL's verdict that Man City systematically got involved in "sham" contracts, including with Etihad. State-owned airline Etihad sides with City. Yeah, totally surprising development, ahem. 1/n

   Open on X

3. [32] City Xtra · @city_xtra · 23:21

   Executives at a number of Premier League clubs have told @guardian_sport that a points deduction to relegate #ManCity to the Championship for a single season would be insufficient given the scale of verdict. [via @MattHughesMedia]

   Open on X

4. [34] City Chief · @city_chief · 22:21

   This is extraordinary. The Commission says #ManCity’s sponsorship arrangements were “shams” and that £830.69M of supposed commercial revenue was really owner funding. Yet Etihad — City’s principal sponsor and the company directly implicated by those findings — says the Premier League NEVER contacted it, NEVER allowed it to provide evidence and NEVER gave it a right of reply. Then there’s this: the Commission also says there was no direct evidence that a key redacted individual knew about or authorised the alleged scheme, yet concluded it operated without that person’s knowledge (hugely rumored to be HRH Sheikh Mansour). So we are being asked to accept a vast, multi-year funding scheme involving hundreds of millions of pounds — while one of the main commercial parties says it was never even heard, and a key individual supposedly did not know it was happening. That is extraordinary. City say the central allegation is simply wrong. Etihad now “categorically rejects” the implications against it and is taking legal advice. This is nowhere near over.

   Open on X

5. [40] City Xtra · @city_xtra · 21:04

   Etihad Airways spokesperson: “Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements. The Premier League’s public communication of the Commission’s findings, following a period of selective leaks and reporting, has further created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings. “At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the Commission’s opinion. Etihad was therefore never given opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, provide relevant information, or ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline. “Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly. The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision. The Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings have been presented. “We stand with the Club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as #ManCity challenges the Commission’s conclusions through the processes available to it. Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests…” [via @MikeKeegan_DM]

   Open on X