Why Man City won't wear FA Cup sleeve patches this season
manchestereveningnews.co.ukManchester City's players will not sport the Emirates sleeve patches on their shirts in the FA Cup this season because of a clash with their sponsor, Etihad.
Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has sponsored England's premier club competition since 2015, taking over from Budweiser. The original Emirates sponsorship deal was originally scheduled to terminate in 2018, but was later extended until 2021 and then beyond.
City, who face Huddersfield Town in the third round of the competition at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, were given an exemption from wearing the patch when Emirates became the main sponsor of the competition because their sponsors, Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, are a direct aviation rival. READ MORE: Pep Guardiola offers update on Kalvin Phillips January transfer window exit READ MORE: City's strongest XI to face Huddersfield in FA Cup amid injury doubt The Blues, who won the FA Cup last season, did not print the Emirates patches on their players' shirt sleeves for last season's final against Manchester United, which they won 2-1 at Wembley.
Former captain Ilkay Gundogan scored a brace, netting either side of half-time. Beating Watford 6-0 in the final in 2019, City, who have won the competition seven times in their rich and colourful history, took a light-hearted dig at Emirates by changing the wording of their front-of-shirt sponsor from 'Etihad Airways' to 'Choose Etihad'.
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