Kaveh Solhekol fielded a fresh round of queries about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had breached Premier League financial regulations in every count. City continue to reject the findings and have announced they will lodge an appeal, with a deadline of Friday 2 October to submit it. During a live interview on Sky Sports News, the network's chief correspondent tackled a wide array of topics raised by fans and journalists alike.
He explained the timetable for the appeal, the possible consequences for the club—including a points deduction, expulsion or a hefty fine—and what might happen if the Premier League were to hand down a sanction that forces City out of the top flight. He also addressed the role of a new independent football regulator, the likelihood of criminal investigations, the fate of player contracts and the potential for compensation claims from rival clubs. Below is a comprehensive summary of Solhekol's answers, expanded with additional context to give readers a fuller picture of the situation. **How long could the appeal process last?** RhydonDN asked whether the appeal could drag on for months or even years.
Solhekol replied that, under the Premier League's own procedures, City have until the October deadline to lodge an appeal. Once filed, the league aims to wrap up the review within roughly twelve weeks, meaning a decision should be reached by the Christmas period. After that, a final judgment on the appeal would be issued within thirty days, putting the outcome in the new year and well before the season concludes. He warned, however, that City could choose to take the matter to the High Court, arguing that the Premier League's process was fundamentally flawed.
Such a legal challenge could extend the dispute for several years. Additionally, the FA might open its own inquiry to determine whether any of its regulations were breached, and four clubs—Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham—have already signaled their intention to sue City for compensation, with more clubs likely to follow once the league's decision is final. **Could the Premier League deduct enough points to relegate City, and would the EFL accept them?** Josh wondered if the league might strip City of the maximum points possible to guarantee relegation, and whether the English Football League would then admit them to the Championship. Solhekol explained that a sanctions hearing will be held by the same three‑person panel that delivered the original verdict.
Their options range from expulsion to a points deduction, a transfer ban or a substantial fine. If the panel opts for a points deduction that results in relegation, the EFL would likely welcome City because of the commercial and sporting interest the club generates.
Conversely, if City were expelled from the Premier League, the EFL would have to vote on whether to admit them; while there is no procedural barrier, it would be unusual for the 72‑club league to reject a club of City's stature. **What if the EFL refuses City entry?** Jonty asked whether the EFL could block City from joining its system. Solhekol answered that, technically, the EFL could decline admission, but he could not see a practical reason for doing so. The financial and fan‑base benefits of having a globally recognised brand in the lower divisions would be considerable, making acceptance the more likely outcome.
**Would City still receive parachute payments after a points‑deduction relegation?** Ash sought clarification on whether the standard parachute payment scheme would apply. Solhekol confirmed that any club relegated from the Premier League, regardless of the cause, receives parachute payments to cushion the loss of television revenue. Therefore, City would be entitled to the same financial support as any other relegated side.
**Can the independent football regulator force an ownership change or bring criminal charges?** Several questions touched on the new Independent Football Regulator’s powers. Solhekol noted that the regulator could, after the full process concludes, decide to remove directors from their positions or even compel a change of ownership if it deems the current owners unfit. However, he stressed that such an outcome is still far off.
Regarding criminal liability, he explained that filing false accounts breaches the UK Fraud Act 2006 and could trigger investigations by the National Economic Crime Centre or HMRC, especially if off‑the‑books payments to staff are proven. At present, no formal criminal proceedings have been launched, but authorities may examine the matter further. **Will players be able to terminate their contracts if the club is punished severely?** MattC asked whether a relegation or expulsion could give players grounds to walk away from their contracts.
Solhekol said that while contracts cannot simply be ripped up, players could seek legal advice and potentially argue that they were misled about the club’s financial stability at the time of signing. If a court finds the club concealed material information, a termination could be justified, though such cases would be evaluated individually.
**Why was the hearing held in private rather than in an open court?** Matt H questioned the secrecy surrounding the Premier League hearing. Solhekol explained that the league operates as a private association of twenty member clubs, each bound by a proprietary rulebook. Sports lawyers have argued for greater transparency, but the Premier League views the proceedings as a confidential internal matter, not subject to the public scrutiny that a High Court case would attract. **What about investigations into seasons after 2018?** Gooner2526 wondered why later seasons have not been examined.
Solhekol clarified that the evidence presented to the tribunal only covered the period up to the 2017/18 season. Much of that evidence originated from a leak by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto, whose files were passed to German magazine Der Spiegel and subsequently sparked UEFA and Premier League investigations. Without additional material, the tribunal could not extend its scope beyond 2018.
**Overall outlook** In summary, the appeal process is designed to be concluded within a few months, but a High Court challenge could dramatically extend the timeline. Possible sanctions range from points deductions to outright expulsion, each carrying different implications for City’s league status, financial support and ownership structure. While the independent regulator holds significant powers, any drastic action such as forcing a sale remains unlikely in the near term. Fans, players and rival clubs will be watching closely as the case unfolds, aware that the final decision could reshape English football’s hierarchy for years to come.