According to reports from Sam Wallace and James Ducker at The Telegraph, Manchester City's appeal against the Premier League independent panel's decision directly contradicts key claims the club submitted to the U.S. government in 2015 through documents sent by Etihad Airways.

One of Manchester City's main arguments in the appeal is that additional funding in the commercial sponsorship agreements involved did not come from the club's owner, but from the Abu Dhabi government. Manchester City believes that if the funding came from the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club owner, this arrangement would not violate Premier League rules.

However, The Telegraph highlights that this claim contradicts a statement Etihad Airways submitted to the U.S. government in 2015 during an investigation into the state-owned airline.

In a 60-page document, Etihad Airways stated: "The allegation that the Abu Dhabi government funded Etihad Airways' sponsorship of Manchester City in the Premier League is false. In 2011, Etihad Airways signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Manchester City, which included naming rights to the club's stadium. Etihad Airways used its own liquidity to pay for this sponsorship."

The document was submitted to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, along with a five-page explanatory letter signed by James Hogan, then President and CEO of Etihad Airways.

Etihad Airways also stated in its submission to the U.S. government: "We are a state-owned organization and have been since our founding. We have consistently made clear that we do not receive any subsidies from the Abu Dhabi government. Our funding comes from shareholder equity, shareholder loans, and commercial loans. The capital and loans provided by our shareholder, the Abu Dhabi government, do not constitute subsidies under any applicable definition, but rather constitute legitimate investment by the Abu Dhabi government in a successful business model."

The Telegraph also notes that Manchester City's current position differs from the stance the club took in 2020 when appealing related UEFA charges to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. At that time, Manchester City maintained that all payment obligations under the sponsorship agreement were the responsibility of each individual sponsor.

However, it is understood that Manchester City does not believe the statements Etihad Airways submitted to the U.S. government will undermine their appeal. On the contrary, Manchester City believes this documentation may strengthen their defense.

Manchester City's legal team is expected to argue that Etihad Airways received funding from the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to promote Abu Dhabi. Once this funding entered Etihad Airways, it became part of the airline's own "liquidity." Therefore, Manchester City contends this is different from the Abu Dhabi government paying Manchester City directly on behalf of Etihad Airways.

Manchester City announced officially on Friday that it will appeal the independent panel's sanction. The club maintains it has "irrefutable evidence" proving the panel's findings are incorrect.

The Telegraph has identified several key contradictions in the dispute. In May 2015, Etihad Airways told the U.S. government that Manchester City's sponsorship was not government-backed. In July 2020, Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan maintained that "the sponsorship was not government-backed" in a CAS case concerning Manchester City's sponsorship arrangement. However, by September 2024, when Manchester City defended against Premier League charges, the club argued that the sponsorship funding came from the Abu Dhabi government.

Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs are pressing for any sanctions against Manchester City to be imposed this season if the club is ultimately found guilty. Reports suggest possible penalties could include relegation, points deductions, and fines, with some calling for the Abu Dhabi owner to sell the club. However, because Manchester City's appeal is ongoing, final sanctions have not yet been determined.

The Football Association (FA) has previously outlined potential actions. Before Manchester City announced its formal appeal decision, the FA stated: "The independent panel's decision has implications for football's integrity. We are carefully reviewing this decision and its consequences and will take action as appropriate. Given that the process between the Premier League and Manchester City remains ongoing, we do not wish to comment further at this stage. However, we will continue to follow developments closely."

During the international break, most of Manchester City's Premier League rivals have remained quiet. However, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery offered his views on Friday, suggesting that if Manchester City's appeal fails, it will cause "some damage."

Emery said: "We are all restricted by Financial Fair Play rules. To comply, we must sell players and consider how to structure new player contracts. Club owners often have significant financial resources, but the purpose of Financial Fair Play is to ensure financial balance—meaning you can only spend what you earn, not artificially inflate revenue."

"If other clubs have artificially inflated revenue and this is being revealed now, it's clear this will cause some damage. These matters should be decided by the courts and relevant authorities."

Emery added: "I'm sorry because that team plays excellent football. Under Pep Guardiola's management, there are times when they are truly superior."

This situation stems from the leak of numerous documents by whistleblower Rui Pinto, which triggered the Premier League investigation. The Telegraph reports that Pinto has been under witness protection for six years, but this protection is set to end. His Portuguese and French legal teams released a joint statement saying: "His situation is now extremely dangerous. The threats he faces are not merely theoretical. In April this year, he was attacked in Lisbon."

Pinto was previously convicted on 5 counts of "unauthorized access" to computer systems, 3 counts of "violation of communications privacy," and attempted extortion, and was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

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