Australia: Etihad new shirt sponsor of Melbourne City FC, subsidiary club of Manchester City

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will be the new shirt sponsor for Melbourne City FC (A-League, first Australian division), a subsidiary club of Manchester City FC (Premier League) for five seasons, the company announced on 07/07/2014.

“[Melbourne is] not only one of the most popular destinations in our global network, it’s also the home of Etihad Stadium, Melbourne’s premier sports and entertainment precinct. Our new partnership with Melbourne City FC further strengthens our ties with this great city,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and chief executive, on 07/07/2014.

This new sponsorship includes the founding of football schools for children and setting up tournaments between Melbourne City FC's supporters; they will also benefit from special pricing on Etihad Airways flights.

Melbourne City FC were bought by a consortium led by Manchester City FC (Premier League) on 22/01/2014. The club is now 80% owned by Manchester City. The other 20% is owned by the same group that owns Melbourne Storm, a club of the NRL (National Rugby League…