Disputes over how sports leagues, federations and clubs write, apply and enforce their rules, and over how those bodies and their owners are held to account.
Published coverage on this page: 1 case · 1 statement. Statements are ordered newest first.
An independent commission found Manchester City arranged "sham" sponsorship contracts to disguise owner funding between 2009/10 and 2017/18. City denies it, says the decision is unsafe and will appeal. As of October 1, 2026, no sanction has been set.
Published
Read the caseLabels describe a response to the linked claim or the action explained in the statement summary. Choose one or more.
1 matching statement
Role at the time: Etihad Airways, in a corporate statement
Response to this claim
Etihad Airways, City's principal shirt sponsor, said on September 30, 2026 that it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements," and that "At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission's opinion."
Quotation excerpt
“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. Etihad categorically…”
“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. 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. 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.”
Relative to the proposition that City used sponsorship contracts the commission described as shams, and related arrangements, to misstate its finances and circumvent the Premier League's financial rules, as the commission found, Etihad addresses the airline's own role and the league's handling of the findings. It rejects any finding or implication that the airline was involved in improper commercial arrangements, criticizes how the findings were communicated, and says it stands with the club as the club challenges the commission's conclusions. It says nothing about whether City's contracts were genuine. We used Challenges the characterization because the statement disputes how the findings describe or imply the airline's involvement rather than saying what City did. The closest competing label is Denied, which would suggest Etihad denied what the commission found against City. Mixed or conditional does not fit because the statement's positions point the same way.
Rodri, whose full name is Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for FC Barcelona and is captain of the Spain national team. He played for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before joining Manchester City in 2019, and Barcelona announced on August 18, 2026 that he had signed from City on a contract running to June 30, 2030. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2024.
1 case and 1 statement
