Kaveh Solhekol fielded a fresh round of queries about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had committed serious breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. City continue to reject the findings and have announced that they will lodge an appeal, with a deadline of Friday 2 October to submit their challenge.
During a live interview on Sky Sports News, Solhekol, the network's chief correspondent, addressed a wide array of topics raised by fans and journalists. He covered the likely timetable for the appeal, the possibility of the club being forced down into the English Football League (EFL), the impact on player contracts, the role of a new independent football regulator and the potential for further legal action.
Below is a comprehensive recap of his answers, expanded with additional context to clarify the process. **How long might the appeal take?** RhydonDN asked whether the appeal could drag on for months or even years. Solhekol explained that, under the Premier League’s own timetable, City must file their appeal by the Friday deadline.
Once lodged, the league aims to complete the internal review within roughly twelve weeks, targeting a decision before the Christmas break. After that period, a judgment on the appeal is expected within thirty days, meaning the final outcome should be announced in the new year and well before the season concludes.
The appeal itself will be heard by a fresh three‑person panel, separate from the original commission. However, Solhekol warned that City could choose to take the case to the High Court, arguing that the Premier League’s procedures were flawed or biased. A judicial review could extend the dispute for years, as the courts would need to examine the league’s governance and possibly order a new hearing. He also noted that the Football Association might open its own investigation to determine whether any of its statutes were violated by the club or its staff.
In the meantime, four clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – have already signaled that they may seek compensation from City, and other clubs are expected to follow once the league’s process ends. **Could the Premier League deduct enough points to relegate City? Would the EFL accept them?** Josh wanted to know whether the league could impose a points deduction so severe that City would be forced down to the Championship, and whether the EFL would be willing to admit them.
Solhekol clarified that a sanctions hearing will be held after the appeal, with the same three individuals who delivered the original judgment deciding the punishment. Their options range from expulsion from the Premier League, a hefty points deduction, a transfer ban, or a massive fine. If the penalty is a points deduction that results in relegation, the EFL would likely accept City, as the club’s brand and fanbase would generate significant interest and revenue for the lower division. If the league opts for expulsion, the situation becomes more complex.
City would have to apply for admission to the EFL, and the 72 clubs that make up the Championship, League One and League Two would vote on whether to admit them. While there is no formal rule preventing admission, the decision would hinge on the collective view of the member clubs.
Given City’s size and commercial appeal, Solhekol believes the EFL would be inclined to welcome them, but the process would still require a formal vote. **What if the EFL refuses entry?** Jonty asked whether the EFL could outright reject City and what the consequences would be.
Solhekol answered that, technically, the EFL could decide not to admit a expelled Premier League club, but he finds it hard to imagine such a scenario. Excluding a club of City’s stature would be unprecedented and would likely provoke legal challenges and significant backlash from broadcasters and sponsors.
**Parachute payments after a points‑deduction relegation?** Ash wondered whether City would still receive the parachute payments that are designed to cushion clubs dropping from the Premier League. Solhekol confirmed that the payments would be made automatically, just as they are for any other relegated side.
The purpose of the parachute system is to protect clubs from a sudden loss of revenue, not to punish them further, so City would be entitled to the same financial support. **Could the owners be forced to sell, or face criminal charges?** A question from “Owners test” touched on the owners’ charter and the possibility of forced sale or criminal prosecution for submitting fraudulent accounts. Solhekol explained that the newly established Independent Football Regulator (IFR) could intervene once the league’s disciplinary process concludes. The regulator has the authority to remove directors and compel a change of ownership if it deems the club’s governance to be compromised.
However, he stressed that City maintains its innocence and expects to clear its name, so any such action is still far off. PolarBear asked the same question about the IFR’s powers. Solhekol reiterated that the regulator can indeed force an owner to sell a club, but that outcome remains speculative at this stage. **Why has the investigation stopped at the 2017/18 season?** Gooner2526 pointed out that the tribunal’s evidence only covered the 2009/10‑2017/18 period, despite later seasons also appearing suspicious.
Solhekol said the evidence presented to the tribunal was limited to what had been obtained from a Portuguese hacker, Rui Pinto, who accessed City’s email accounts and supplied material to the German magazine Der Spiegel. Those leaks sparked UEFA’s and the Premier League’s investigations, but the tribunal only received documentation up to 2018, which is why later seasons were not examined. **Could there be a criminal fraud investigation?** Dan asked whether the scale of the judgment might trigger a corporate fraud probe.
Solhekol noted that filing false financial statements is a criminal offense under the UK Fraud Act 2006. If authorities determine that City knowingly misrepresented its accounts, the club and possibly individual executives could face prosecution.
He also mentioned that HM Revenue & Customs might look into unpaid taxes and National Insurance contributions, given the commission’s findings about off‑the‑books payments. The National Economic Crime Centre could launch a separate inquiry into alleged false accounting.
All of these possibilities remain speculative until the relevant bodies decide to act. **Can players terminate their contracts if the club is punished severely?** MattC wondered whether a relegation or other severe sanction would give players the right to cancel their deals.
Solhekol explained that contracts cannot simply be ripped up, but players could seek legal advice to argue that they were misled about the club’s financial health at the time of signing. If a court finds that the club concealed material information, a player might be allowed to terminate the agreement. However, such cases would be assessed individually, and most contracts likely contain no explicit clause covering this scenario. **Why was the hearing private?** Matt H questioned the secrecy of the hearing, suggesting that a public court case would provide more transparency.
Solhekol responded that the Premier League operates as a private association of 20 member clubs, each bound by a confidential rulebook. Sports lawyers have argued for greater openness, but the league maintains that its internal disciplinary processes are confidential to protect the parties involved. In summary, the appeal process is expected to be resolved within a few months unless City escalates the matter to the High Court, which could prolong the dispute for years.
Potential sanctions range from points deductions to outright expulsion, each carrying different implications for the club’s future in the Premier League or the EFL. Meanwhile, the independent regulator, tax authorities and possibly criminal investigators could become involved, depending on how the facts unfold.
Players, owners and other clubs are all watching closely, as the outcome will shape English football’s landscape for years to come.