Manchester City's leading club sponsor Etihad Airways have released a statement confirming their consideration of legal action against the Premier League in light of the guilty verdict placed on the North-West giants.
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The Premier League published the seismic verdict of an independent panel on Tuesday afternoon confirming that Manchester City had disguised funding of more than £830 million via commercial deals between 2009 and 2018.
The verdict found that of the £949.94 million, Manchester City claimed to have brought in, only £119.25 million was legitimate, with the rest coming from owners the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Manchester City have confirmed they will appeal the decision, which could now result in points deductions, transfer bans, or relegation from the Premier League, as per bullish responses from CEO Ferran Soriano and the club's chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has addressed club staff directly following the Premier League's publication of an independent commission finding that the club breached the league's financial rules between 2009 and 2018.cityxtra.co.ukMan City CEO Ferran Soriano Sends Rallying Message to Club Staff After Independent Commission Guilty Verdict
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has addressed club staff directly following the Premier League's publication of an independent commission finding that the club breached the league's financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
Etihad issue statement on Premier League verdict
Now, in light of the Premier League's verdict on Manchester City and the release of the independent commission's findings, Etihad Airways have issued their own response to the matter - warning of possible legal action against the English top-flight.
"Etihad Airways has reviewed the Premier League commission's published opinion relating to the disciplinary proceedings involving Manchester City, together with the Premier League's public communication of its findings," a statement from the airline opened.
"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 the opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, to provide relevant information, or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline."
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham has admitted he would be "concerned" about the prospect of losing Manchester City's ownership in light of the club's verdict issued by the Premier League.cityxtra.co.ukPrime Minister Andy Burnham Admits 'Concern' Over Prospect of Losing Man City Owners
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham has admitted he would be "concerned" about the prospect of losing Manchester City's ownership in light of the club's verdict issued by the Premier League.
The statement continued, "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.
"Etihad is immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The Etihad name has been proudly carried by the club and its stadium for many years, as part of a partnership that has connected us with millions of supporters around the world. Our commitment to Manchester City, its supporters and our shared partnership remains strong.
"We stand with the club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as Manchester City 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."
Who else has spoken out since the verdict?
Aside from Manchester City's own responses to the judgement, the other notable individual to comment on the matter is United Kingdom Prime Minister, Andy Burnham - formerly the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Burnham ensured to praise the ownership of Manchester City, who could yet come under pressure with regards to their control of the football club in light of the devastating findings within the independent commission's report.
"They’ve been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester", said Burnham on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister continued, "I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn’t just put into the Etihad and the campus around it, but also into the city.
"I can’t intervene more in the process. It would be wrong for me to do that. It would be wrong, I think, to jump to a conclusion before having really studied all of the detail, but obviously it’s ongoing, and because it’s still contested by Manchester City, then I think it’s right that I don’t say much more."
For now, it remains to be seen what comes next in the matter, with a newly formed independent panel to convene to discuss possible punishments in the coming days and weeks, whilst Manchester City remain confident of ultimately clearing their name.