'I Disagree' - Stefan Borson blasts Etihad Airways over Man City vs Premier League

Etihad Airways have Manchester City to blame rather than the Premier League after getting mixed up in the club's 114 charges.

That is according to former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Premier League didn't need Etihad to prove their case.

The 10-time champions' main sponsor, seen on the stadium and front-of-shirt, is considering legal action against the Premier League following the publications of findings in the charges against the Citizens.

Etihad responded, saying they “categorically reject” the guilty verdicts of the independent commission, which claimed had "damaging implications" for the airline, despite not being named.

It is yet another controversial twist in the case against Man City, and a rather confusing one at that.

The main complaint is that Etihad were never called forward by the Premier League, not being given a chance to defend itself.

Etihad Airways vs Man City is 'strange'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson, however, believes that it was Man City's job to consult Etihad, rather than the Premier League.

"It is a bit strange to see that they would say it at CAS under oath, but now weren't invited," he explained.

"But the issue where I think where I disagree with Etihad Airways is that this is an issue for the Premier League. The Premier League did not need Etihad to prove their case, as we can see.

"So Manchester City, therefore, were the party that should have called Etihad if they felt they had useful defence evidence. And if they didn't, then it's City's fault, not the Premier League's.

"The Premier League didn't need it. So why would they call them? Fundamentally, it's a misunderstanding of what this is."

What punishment should Man City face?

The entire situation is likely to drag on for the foreseeable future, especially with this potential legal battle now adding to the controversy.

Borson, speaking to Football Insider, has already ruled out a criminal investigation into Roberto Mancini's wages, which has likely already been sorted with HMRC.

Premier League fans are desperate for the book to be thrown at the Citizens, though, with ideas ranging from points deductions to transfer bans, to the stripping of titles.

Keith Hackett, a former chief of the PGMOL, has already told Football Insider that stripping titles would be far too harsh on the club.