Manchester City's appeal against an independent commission's guilty verdict on financial rule breaches may be undercut by earlier statements from sponsor Etihad Airways, which in 2015 denied links to the Abu Dhabi government, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Etihad Airways denied links to the Abu Dhabi government in 2015.
- Manchester City are appealing an independent commission's guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of financial rule breaches.
- City's appeal is reportedly based on the claim that certain commercial contracts were paid for by the Abu Dhabi government.
- The FA confirmed it has powers to take disciplinary action.
- City confirmed the appeal on Friday.
Manchester City’s defence in their appeal against an independent commission’s guilty verdict appears to be contradicted by previous statements made by their main sponsor, Etihad Airways, according to the Guardian. The commission found the club guilty on more than 100 charges of financial rule breaches.
A key element of City’s appeal, which the club confirmed on Friday, is understood to be based on their claim that commercial contracts were paid for by the Abu Dhabi government. The commission had concluded that those contracts were part-funded by the club’s owner.
That line of defence appears to sit uneasily with earlier statements from Etihad Airways. The Guardian reports that the airline denied links to the Abu Dhabi government in 2015, in statements made to the US government.
The apparent discrepancy between the two positions is significant because it goes to the heart of how the disputed commercial contracts were funded, a central question in the case against the club.
The FA confirmed that it has powers to take disciplinary action, according to the Guardian’s reporting on the case.
The appeal process will test whether City’s account of the funding arrangements can be reconciled with the record of statements made by its commercial partners.
Why it matters
The case concerns how one of the world's wealthiest football clubs funded its commercial deals, with potential disciplinary consequences at stake. If the funding claims central to City's appeal are undermined by its own sponsor's past statements, it could shape the outcome of a landmark financial rules dispute in the Premier League.
Frequently asked questions
What is Manchester City appealing against?
City are appealing against an independent commission's guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of financial rule breaches, with the appeal confirmed by the club on Friday.
Why do Etihad's statements matter to the appeal?
A key part of City's appeal reportedly claims disputed commercial contracts were paid for by the Abu Dhabi government, but the Guardian reports that Etihad denied links to the Abu Dhabi government in statements to the US government in 2015.
Can the FA take disciplinary action?
The FA confirmed it has powers to take disciplinary action, according to the Guardian.