Etihad's 2015 statement casts doubt on Man City's appeal strategy
Manchester City is appealing a commission's ruling that found the club guilty of financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018. A 2015 filing by sponsor Etihad Airways to the US government may undermine the club's defense regarding the source of their sponsorship funding.
Why it matters
The outcome of this appeal could have massive implications for the Premier League's financial regulations and the future of one of the world's most successful football clubs.
Manchester City 's central appeal argument has been brought into question by a statement their main sponsor Etihad Airways submitted to the US government in 2015, according to Sky Sports News.
City lodged their appeal at 7pm on Thursday, 1 October, against an independent commission's finding that they were guilty of almost all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18. The club confirmed the move on Friday, the deadline for an appeal.
The commission found City used "sham" sponsorship agreements as part of a "disguised funding scheme". Multiple reports placed the inflated revenue figures at £830.69m, while The Athletic reports the scheme helped City inflate income and reduce costs to the tune of £900million.
City continue to deny any wrongdoing, and have said the club have 'irrefutable evidence' that will prove their innocence.
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