Man City given special dispensation to make major change to badge for FA Cup clash vs Salford

MANCHESTER CITY were given special permission to make a major change to their FA Cup sponsor badge for the third-round clash against Salford.

Pep Guardiola’s side romped to an 8-0 win over the League Two outfit with James McAtee scoring a second-half hat-trick.

However, eagle-eyed fans might have noticed a subtle difference between City’s and Salford’s kits on the right sleeve where the FA Cup sponsor badge is located.

City were allowed to wear a badge which simply said “FA Cup” and showed a icon trophy icon, while the Salford badge said “Emirates FA Cup” with the trophy icon.

The reason for this is because City have been handed special dispensation to not wear the Emirates name on their sleeve.

City’s main sponsor is Abu Dhabi backed airline Etihad Airways, a direct competitor of competition sponsor Emirates who are based in Dubai, a neighbouring City in the UAE.

FA Cup commercial rules allow for certain dispensations for clubs such as City to not wear the badge on their sleeves due to the direct rivalry and consequent conflict of interest.

The club did not wear any sleeve badge at all for last years final defeat against Manchester United, while the Red Devils did.

Going back as far as the 2015/16 season, City have been granted permission to not wear the badge on their matchday kit.

Emirates became the sponsor of football’s old competition back in 2015.

This deal has twice been extended, with the latest extension being signed in August 2024 to run until 2028.

The current deal is reported to be worth around £10million a season.

After dispatching the Class of 92 owned club, City were drawn away against one of Leyton Orient or Derby for the fourth round.

The fixture will be played out on the weekend commencing February 8, while the opponent will be decided when the teams play each other on Tuesday evening.

Man City have won the competition seven times overall, with their most recent coming in 2023 over Man Utd.

They have won it twice in the Emirates era, having been to three finals.

Since the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, City have also been in the 2011 and 2013 finals, winning the former in what was a first major trophy for 35 years.