According to Manchester Evening News, a 2015 statement from Etihad Airways could undermine Man City's appeal against the Premier League's independent panel ruling on financial fair play violations. Rui Pinto, who leaked Man City documents, claims he has received death threats and fears for his safety.

Man City has appealed the independent panel's ruling, which found the club guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The panel concluded that Man City concealed sources of owner funding and reduced operating costs through commercial agreements involving nearly £1 billion. Most charges of non-cooperation with the Premier League's investigation were also upheld. Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters called it "the most important case in Premier League history." If Man City's appeal fails, the panel will hold a separate hearing to determine sanctions.

According to PA Media, Etihad's 2015 statement to the U.S. government may contradict Man City's defense. Man City's defense will argue that funds from the Abu Dhabi Royal Court were intended to enable local UAE sponsors to fulfill their sponsorship obligations to Man City, rather than flowing to Abu Dhabi United Group, owned by Sheikh Mansour.

Documents from investigations by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, and State Department regarding state-owned airlines recorded Etihad's statement: "Claims that the Abu Dhabi government paid for Etihad's sponsorship of Man City are false. In 2011, Etihad signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Man City, including naming rights to the club's stadium. Etihad paid sponsorship fees from its own liquidity and has consistently stated that it did not receive subsidies from the Abu Dhabi government."

Rui Pinto posted on social media that hours after Man City's guilty verdict was formally confirmed, Portugal's witness protection program committee notified him that his participation in the program would be terminated and police protection would be withdrawn. Pinto claims he has received multiple death threats and faces a serious assassination risk, and therefore intends to relocate to an undisclosed location within days. He has also launched a crowdfunding campaign with a target of £2.5 million. The Guardian reported that Pinto is willing to assist UK authorities in the case in exchange for protection.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expressed concern about the potential forced departure of Man City's owners. In a BBC interview, he stated that Man City's owners are important partners in building modern Manchester and have helped the club become a global powerhouse. The newspaper also reported that the UAE has threatened to withdraw billions of pounds in potential investment from the Oxford-Cambridge Arc project in response to the guilty verdict. Lord Stockwood, a former Investment Minister, reportedly wrote to Man City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, inviting Mubadala and Abu Dhabi partners to visit the project.

Man City confirmed that the club has filed a full appeal against the Premier League panel's ruling. The club stated that the appeal was submitted at 7 p.m. on October 1, 2024.

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