Etihad Denied Funding Claims to US in 2015, Records Show

A statement made by Etihad Airways in 2015 to U.S. government departments appears to contradict a central defense strategy employed by Manchester City in their ongoing Premier League financial charges. The airline, which is the state-owned national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, told the U.S. departments of commerce, transportation, and state that suggestions of government funding for sponsorships were "false."

This assertion emerged as Manchester City faces 115 charges, many related to allegations of the club manipulating financial records to the extent of nearly $900 million. These funds were reportedly channeled into the club over a nine-year period by its Abu Dhabi owners. Manchester City confirmed an appeal on Friday, with a significant part of their defense reportedly arguing that commercial contracts were financed by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owners.

In 2015, Etihad stated, "We are government-owned and have been since our founding. We are and have always been clear that we do not receive any subsidies from the Abu Dhabi government, and that we are financed through a combination of equity, shareholder and commercial loans. Our shareholder's equity and loans are not subsidies under any applicable definition; they are the means by which the Abu Dhabi government has sensibly invested in a successful business model."

The statement was made as part of an investigation into state-owned airlines. The Premier League's new rules mandate that appeals must be heard within 12 weeks of lodging, with decisions due within 30 days of the hearing's conclusion. Hearings are limited to five days, meaning a potential punishment could be issued within the current season.

Manchester City has maintained its innocence, stating they possess "have irrefutable evidence" of operating within the rules, supported by bank statements and witness testimonies. The club issued a statement on Friday asserting that the Premier League's opinion "contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe." They added, "The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."

The club's alleged "disguised funding" process, where the ownership group purportedly topped up commercial partnerships by approximately £830.69 million, is central to the charges. The findings suggest this allowed the club to illegally sign players contributing to their period of success. However, sources familiar with the situation indicate City's argument is that the funds originated from government-owned sponsors, not from Abu Dhabi United Group, a private entity owned by Sheikh Mansour, thus implying no rules were broken. Sponsorships from government-funded entities, particularly airlines, are common within the Premier League and are not prohibited.