According to Manchester Evening News, a 2015 statement by Etihad Airways may undermine Manchester City FC's appeal against the Premier League's Financial Fair Play ruling. Rui Pinto, who leaked Manchester City FC documents, claims he has received death threats and fears for his life.

Manchester City FC has appealed an independent panel's decision that found the club guilty of all charges related to breaching Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The club allegedly concealed the source of owner funding through commercial agreements to reduce operating costs, involving nearly £1 billion. Most charges of non-cooperation with Premier League investigations were also upheld. Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive, called this the "biggest case in Premier League history." If Manchester City's appeal fails, a separate hearing will determine the penalty.

According to PA Media, a 2015 Etihad Airways statement to the U.S. government may contradict Manchester City's defence. The club's defence will argue that funding from the Abu Dhabi government palace was intended to help local sponsors in the UAE meet their sponsorship obligations to Manchester City FC, not to benefit the Abu Dhabi United Group, which is owned by Sheikh Mansour.

U.S. government documents from investigations by the Commerce, Transportation, and State Departments regarding state airlines recorded Etihad Airways' statement: "Claims that the Abu Dhabi government paid for Etihad's sponsorship of Manchester City FC are false. In 2011, Etihad Airways signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Manchester City FC, which included naming rights to the club's stadium. Etihad paid for the sponsorship with its own cash and has always stated it received no subsidies from the Abu Dhabi government."

Rui Pinto stated on social media that just hours after Manchester City FC's guilt was officially confirmed, the Portuguese witness protection programme committee informed him his participation would be terminated and police protection withdrawn. Pinto claims he has received multiple death threats and faces a high risk of assassination, so he plans to relocate to an undisclosed location within days. He has launched a crowdfunding campaign with a £2.5 million target. The Guardian reported that Pinto is willing to assist UK authorities in the case in exchange for protection.

According to The Telegraph, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he would be concerned if Manchester City FC's owner were forced to leave the club. In a BBC interview, he stated that Manchester City's owner is a key partner in developing modern Manchester and has helped Manchester City grow into a global powerhouse. The report also claims the UAE threatened to withdraw investment potentially worth billions of pounds in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc project in response to the guilty verdict. Lord Stockton, former Investment Minister, wrote to Kaldoun Al Mubarak, Manchester City chairman, inviting Mubadala and Abu Dhabi partners to visit the project.

Manchester City FC confirmed that the club filed a full appeal against the Premier League panel's ruling. The club's statement indicated that the appeal was submitted at 19:00 on 1 October 2026.

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