Kaveh Solhekol recently fielded a series of viewer questions about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had committed serious breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. Despite the damning verdict, City continue to maintain their innocence and have announced they will lodge an appeal, with a deadline of Friday 2 October to submit their challenge.
During a live segment on Sky Sports News, Solhekol, the network's chief correspondent for the story, addressed a wide range of concerns raised by fans and pundits. Topics covered included the likely timetable for the appeal, the possibility of the club being forced down into the English Football League (EFL), the fate of player contracts, the role of the new Independent Football Regulator, and even the potential for criminal investigations.
Below is a comprehensive recap of his answers, expanded with additional context to give a fuller picture of what could happen next. **How long might the appeal process last?** RhydonDN asked whether the appeal could stretch on for months or even years. Solhekol explained that the Premier League’s internal procedure is relatively swift. City have until 2 October to file their appeal; once lodged, the league aims to finish its review by the Christmas period – roughly a twelve‑week window.
After that, a separate three‑person panel will issue a written judgment within thirty days. In practice, this means a final decision on the appeal should be delivered early in the new year and well before the season concludes.
However, Solhekol warned that City could choose to take the matter to the High Court, arguing that the Premier League process was biased or procedurally flawed. A judicial review could extend the dispute for several years, as the courts would need to consider complex sporting‑governance issues. He also noted that the Football Association might open its own inquiry to determine whether any of its statutes were breached, and that four rival clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – have already indicated they may seek compensation from City, with other clubs likely to follow once the 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 could simply strip City of every point they could possibly earn this season, guaranteeing relegation, and whether the EFL would then admit them to the Championship.
Solhekol clarified that a sanctions hearing will decide the precise punishment. The same three individuals who sat on the original commission will now sit on the panel that determines the sanction.
Their options range from expulsion from the Premier League, a substantial points deduction, a transfer ban, or a hefty fine. If the panel opts for a points deduction that results in relegation, the EFL would almost certainly accept City, as the Championship would benefit from the commercial draw of a club of City’s stature. Conversely, if the league decides to expel City outright, the club would have to apply for admission to the EFL, and the 72 existing clubs would vote on whether to admit them. Given City’s global brand and fanbase, Solhekol believes the EFL would be inclined to welcome them, but the final decision would rest with the member clubs.
**What if the EFL refused to take City into its system?** Jonty asked whether the EFL could block City’s entry and what the consequences would be. Solhekol answered that, technically, the EFL could reject the club if it were expelled from the top flight. However, he expressed doubt that any of the 72 clubs would want to turn away a financially powerful and internationally recognised entity, especially when admission would generate significant media attention and revenue.
**Would City still receive parachute payments if they were relegated by a points deduction?** Ash was concerned about the financial safety net for clubs that drop out of the Premier League. Solhekol confirmed that any club relegated – whether through performance or a punitive points deduction – is entitled to the standard parachute payments designed to ease the transition to lower‑league revenue levels.
The payments would be calculated in the same way as for any other relegated side. **Could the owners be forced to sell, or face criminal charges for alleged fraudulent accounts?** The "Owners test" asked about the owners’ charter and potential criminal liability. Solhekol explained that the newly established Independent Football Regulator (IFR) could intervene once the league process concludes.
The regulator has the authority to remove directors from their positions and, in extreme cases, compel a change of ownership. Nonetheless, City maintain that they will be cleared of all wrongdoing and therefore do not anticipate such an outcome. PolarBear raised a similar question, and Solhekol reiterated that while the regulator possesses the power to force a sale, it is unlikely to be exercised unless the investigation uncovers clear breaches of the owners’ charter.
**Why have investigations stopped at the 2017/18 season and not looked at more recent years?** Gooner2526 wondered why the tribunal’s evidence only covered the 2009/10‑2017/18 period. Solhekol noted that the material presented to the commission was largely derived from data leaked by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto, who accessed City’s email servers and supplied the information to German magazine Der Spiegel. Those leaks were first reported in 2018 and triggered both UEFA and Premier League inquiries.
Because the leaked documents only spanned up to 2018, the tribunal could not consider later seasons. **Is there a risk of criminal or regulatory investigations into alleged corporate fraud?** Dan asked whether the scale of the judgment could lead to a fraud investigation.
Solhekol said that filing false financial statements is a criminal offence under the UK Fraud Act 2006. If authorities determine that City deliberately misrepresented their accounts, they could face prosecution. Additionally, HM Revenue & Customs might investigate potential tax evasion, given the commission’s finding that the club paid certain staff “off‑the‑books.” The National Economic Crime Centre could also launch an inquiry into possible breaches of the Fraud Act.
At present, no formal criminal proceedings have been announced, and City continue to assert that they have acted within the law. **Would players be able to terminate their contracts if City were relegated as a punishment?** MattC asked whether a severe sanction such as relegation would give players the right to walk away from their agreements. Solhekol explained that contract termination is not automatic; players would need to demonstrate that they were misled about the club’s financial health at the time of signing.
In such a scenario, they could seek legal advice and potentially argue for rescission on the grounds of misrepresentation. However, most player contracts contain clauses that protect clubs in the event of relegation, and there is no standard provision that allows players to quit solely because of a punitive relegation. **Why was the hearing held behind closed doors rather than in a public court?** Matt H questioned the secrecy of the Premier League’s process.
Solhekol noted that the league operates as a private association of 20 member clubs, each bound by a proprietary rulebook. Sports lawyers have argued that greater transparency would be beneficial, but the Premier League maintains that its disciplinary proceedings are confidential to protect the integrity of the competition and the privacy of the parties involved. In summary, the appeal timeline is expected to be relatively swift unless City pursue a High Court challenge, which could dramatically extend the dispute. The sanctions panel has a menu of penalties ranging from points deductions to outright expulsion, each with distinct implications for the EFL and for City’s financial arrangements.
The Independent Football Regulator may later assess ownership suitability, but any forced sale remains a remote possibility. Meanwhile, criminal or tax investigations could emerge if evidence of deliberate fraud is uncovered, though none have been confirmed to date. Players’ contractual rights remain nuanced, and the closed‑door nature of the hearing reflects the private governance structure of English top‑flight football.