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Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad will seek legal counsel on its options after the Premier League published findings against Manchester City, it told Gulf News on Wednesday. The airline says the league never engaged with it. It says the way the findings were communicated has damaged it, although it was not named.
Why is Etihad seeking legal advice over the Man City findings?
Etihad says the Premier League never contacted it during the commission process, so it had no chance to be represented, provide information or check accuracy. It argues that unclear communication and selective disclosure have damaged the airline, even though it was not named in the redacted decision.
The airline said it "categorically rejects" any finding, conclusion or implication that it took part in improper commercial arrangements. It said the league must take responsibility for the consequences of how the findings were presented.
What did the Premier League find against Man City?
The Premier League said on Tuesday that an independent commission found City guilty of all charges tied to serious financial-rule breaches between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. It also found City guilty of three of four alleged breaches over its cooperation with the investigation.
According to the league, City used "sham" sponsorship contracts. The arrangements artificially inflated revenue and cut costs by more than £900 million over the period.
The commission also found City filed misstated accounts. It said the club hid the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators. The league said City would have breached its spending limits by a substantial amount had the agreements been reported accurately.
Can Man City appeal the Premier League findings?
Yes. City can appeal the findings until October 2. Any sanction will be considered at a separate hearing, which will stay private until publication is permitted.
The Premier League said only a redacted version of the core findings can be published for now. Additional appendices will follow when permitted. The disciplinary process is still ongoing.
What is Etihad's relationship with Man City?
Etihad has been a commercial partner of City since 2009. The airline said the relationship remains strong. It said it will stand with the club as City challenges the conclusions through the available processes.
The Premier League did not immediately respond to Etihad's statement, according to Reuters.
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