Man City 115 charges verdict issued as Etihad make £4billion move
Man City have come under scrutiny over their links with Etihad Airways following the 115 charges case and the high-profile fight over Associated Party Rules (APT).
The flag-carrying airline, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi government through the wealth fund ADQ, has sponsored City‘s stadium and kit since 2009 – with the club also backed by the United Arab Emirates.
The Times reported on 9 February that Etihad is set to unveil plans to float a stake of up to 20 per cent on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange as soon as this month at a potential value of £4billion.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed what impact that move could have on City’s 115 charges case.
Etihad float not likely to have Man City impact, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Etihad’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) is not connected to the outcome of the much-anticipated case.
The airline revealed a record profit of $476million this week.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I don’t think the two events are connected in any way, to be honest.
| Club | Sponsor | Value (£, per year) |
| Man City | Etihad | 67.5 |
| Man United | Snapdragon | 60 |
| Liverpool | Standard Chartered | 50 |
| Arsenal | Emirates | 50 |
| Tottenham | AIA | 40 |
| Newcastle | Sela | 25 |
“The IPO won’t have taken any external factor, such as a verdict in this 115 charges case, into account.
“I don’t think there is a connection there.”
Man City ‘line up five more summer deals‘
Former Man United chief scout and recruitment expert Mick Brown has told Football Insider (18 February) that Man City are planning to add at least five top-class signings to their squad this summer.
The Premier League champions are set to continue their rebuild after poor performance on the pitch this term.
As part of the revamp, Football Insider revealed on 17 February that Bernardo Silva is wanted by clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia amid speculation over his future at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract in June and questions have been asked about Ilkay Gundogan’s suitability for a title-chasing side.
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