Evidence that Manchester City has submitted in its recent appeal against the financial breach ruling contain contradictory and inconsistent arguments when facing US government scrutiny over

In a follow-up report regarding Manchester City’s appeal against the ruling that found them guilty of nearly all 115 charges of Premier League financial breaches, the Telegraph exclusively revealed on Sunday that the club's major sponsor, Etihad Airways, had previously submitted contradictory and inconsistent arguments when facing US government scrutiny over similar allegations in 2015.

According to the report, Etihad Airways recently claimed that the sponsorship funds provided to Manchester City originated directly from the UAE government, characterizing them as a direct investment by the state into British grassroots football and the Premier League, and even threatened to demand a complete severance of diplomatic ties between the UAE and the UK in retaliation. 

Yet, during the 2015 US inquiry, the company's official spokesperson had testified that the government was not involved in the provision of sponsorship funds.

Statements made during the 2015 US review maintained that while Etihad Airways was an affiliate of the UAE government, its operational capital, general sponsorship budget, and the specific funds allocated to Manchester City were accounted for independently.

Etihad’s spokesperson reiterated this stance when questioned again in 2020, during UEFA’s investigation into Manchester City over the same allegations.

However, following the recent ruling that upheld 114 of the charges, the company has completely reversed its position, claiming all funds were paid directly by the UAE government. They have even resorted to moral coercion by threatening to push for a rupture in UAE-UK diplomatic relations should the verdict stand. 

These actions demonstrate that the company, the Cityzens, and the UAE government are attempting to argue against a case where the evidence is conclusive and the conviction effectively a certainty. 

Ultimately, journalists believes that while it is certainly important to find a compromise, one that ensures Manchester City faces appropriate punishment without offending the UAE government, the club must not be deliberately let off the hook simply to preserve bilateral diplomatic relations; otherwise, the credibility of both the Premier League and English football as a whole would suffer further damage.

Image source: Internet / The Telegraph