Kaveh Solhekol recently tackled a flood of fan queries about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had committed serious violations of Premier League financial regulations. City continues to deny any wrongdoing and has announced its intention to appeal the decision, with a deadline of Friday, 2 October to lodge the challenge. During a live interview on Sky Sports News, Solhekol, the league's chief correspondent, addressed a wide array of topics ranging from the timeline of the appeal process to the possibility of a drop into the English Football League (EFL), the fate of player contracts, and the role of an emerging independent football regulator.
Below is a comprehensive recap of the questions and his answers, expanded with additional context to give a fuller picture of the situation. **How long might the appeal take?
Could it stretch for months or even years?** RhydonDN asked about the expected duration of the appeal. Solhekol explained that, under the Premier League’s own procedures, City must submit its appeal by the October 2 deadline. Once filed, the league aims to conclude the internal review within roughly twelve weeks, targeting a decision before the Christmas break.
After that period, a final judgment is expected within thirty days, meaning the appeal outcome should be known in the new year and well before the season’s end. The appeal itself will be heard by a new three‑person panel, distinct from the original commission. He added that City could choose to take the case to the High Court, alleging procedural bias or a rigged process.
If they pursue that route, the litigation could extend for several years, potentially dragging the issue far beyond the football calendar. Additionally, the Football Association may open a separate investigation to determine whether any of its own rules were breached by the club or its staff. Meanwhile, four clubs—Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur—have already signaled they may seek compensation from City, and other clubs are likely to follow once the Premier League’s findings are finalised.
**Could the Premier League impose a points deduction large enough to relegate City, and would the EFL accept them?** Josh wondered whether the league might strip City of enough points to guarantee relegation and whether the EFL would admit them to the Championship. Solhekol clarified that a sanctions hearing is pending, where the same three individuals who sat on the original commission will decide the punishment. Their options include expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction, a transfer ban, or a substantial fine. If the penalty is a points deduction that results in relegation, the EFL would almost certainly accept City, given the commercial and sporting interest a club of City’s stature brings.
However, if the league decides on expulsion, City would need to apply for admission to the EFL, and the 72 member clubs would vote on whether to admit them. In practice, the EFL would likely welcome them because of the massive fan base, media attention, and financial benefits they would generate. **Is it possible for the EFL to reject City’s entry, and what would happen then?** Jonty asked whether the EFL could refuse City a place in its system.
Solhekol responded that, technically, the EFL could vote against admitting a expelled Premier League club, but he sees little practical reason for such a decision. The club’s brand, global following, and revenue potential make it an attractive addition, and rejecting them would be an unusual move. **Would City still receive parachute payments if they were relegated via points deduction?** Ash inquired about the financial safety net for relegated clubs.
Solhekol confirmed that any club relegated from the Premier League, including City, would be entitled to the standard parachute payments designed to ease the transition to a lower‑division revenue model. The rules do not discriminate based on the cause of relegation, so City would receive the same instalments as any other relegated side. **Can the independent football regulator force a change of ownership or bring criminal charges?** Several users, including Owners Test and PolarBear, asked whether the regulator could compel the current owners to sell or impose criminal liability for alleged fraudulent accounting.
Solhekol explained that the newly established Independent Football Regulator (IFR) does have the authority to remove directors from their positions and, in extreme cases, mandate a change of ownership if it deems the club’s governance incompatible with the sport’s integrity. However, such actions are unlikely to happen soon; the regulator would first need the full outcome of the Premier League process before intervening. Regarding criminal charges, Solhekol noted that if false financial statements were deliberately submitted, the club could be investigated under the UK Fraud Act 2006.
Authorities such as the National Economic Crime Centre, HM Revenue & Customs, or the police could pursue the matter, but any prosecution would depend on the evidence and the outcome of ongoing investigations. **Why did the tribunal operate in complete privacy rather than an open court?** Matt H questioned the secrecy surrounding the hearing. Solhekol pointed out that the Premier League’s internal disciplinary procedures are governed by its own rulebook, which permits private hearings to protect confidential information and the interests of its member clubs. While sports lawyers argue for greater transparency, the league treats these matters as private contractual disputes among its members, not matters of public law.
**What about the seasons after 2017/18—will they be investigated?** Gooner2526 wondered why the focus remained on the 2009/10‑2017/18 period. Solhekol explained that the evidence presented to the tribunal was limited to that timeframe, largely because the material originated from a leak by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto, who accessed City’s email servers and supplied documents to German magazine Der Spiegel. Those documents triggered UEFA’s and subsequently the Premier League’s investigations, but no additional evidence covering later seasons has been formally submitted to the tribunal. **Could players terminate their contracts if the club is punished severely?** MattC asked whether a relegation or expulsion could give players a legal right to walk away.
Solhekol said that while contracts cannot be simply ripped up, players could seek legal advice and potentially argue misrepresentation if they were not fully informed about the club’s financial situation at the time of signing. If a court finds that the club breached fundamental terms or acted irresponsibly, a player might be released from the contract, but each case would be assessed individually.
**What are the broader implications of the judgment for corporate fraud?** Dan highlighted that the scale of the decision suggests possible corporate fraud. Solhekol reiterated that filing false accounts is a serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006, and authorities such as HMRC or the National Economic Crime Centre may launch investigations into tax evasion or illegal payments. The club maintains its innocence and expects to clear its name through the appeal process. In summary, the appeal timeline is relatively short unless City pursues a High Court challenge, which could prolong the dispute for years.
Potential sanctions range from points deductions to outright expulsion, each carrying different consequences for league placement and financial support. The independent regulator holds significant powers but will likely wait for the Premier League’s final decision before acting.
Meanwhile, clubs and players are closely monitoring the situation, preparing for any eventualities that may arise from the final ruling.