Kaveh Solhekol recently tackled a flood of viewer questions about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had breached Premier League financial regulations in every charge. City continues to reject the findings and has announced its intention to appeal the decision, with a deadline of Friday, 2 October to lodge the appeal. During a live segment on Sky Sports News, Solhekol – the network's chief correspondent on the story – addressed a wide array of topics raised by fans and journalists. He spoke about the likely timeline for an appeal verdict, the possibility of City being dropped into the English Football League (EFL), how player contracts might be affected, and what role the new Independent Football Regulator could play, among other concerns.
Below is a comprehensive summary of his answers, expanded with additional context to give readers a fuller picture of the situation. **How long might the appeal process take?** RhydonDN asked whether the appeal could stretch out for months or even years. Solhekol explained that, under the Premier League's own procedures, City must submit its notice of appeal by the Friday deadline.
Once filed, the league aims to complete the internal review within roughly 12 weeks, targeting a decision before the Christmas break. After that period, a further 30 days is allotted for the panel to issue a written judgment, meaning the final appeal outcome should be known early in the new year and well before the season concludes. He noted, however, that City could choose to challenge the Premier League process in the High Court, alleging procedural unfairness.
Such a judicial review could extend the dispute for an indeterminate length of time, potentially years, especially if the case proceeds through multiple levels of appeal. Additionally, the Football Association may launch its own inquiry to determine whether any of its statutes were breached, and four rival clubs—Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur—have already signaled their intent to seek compensation, with more clubs likely to follow once the league’s internal process ends. **Could the Premier League impose a points deduction large enough to relegate City, and would the EFL accept them?** Josh wondered if the league could simply strip City of all points earned this season to guarantee relegation, and whether the EFL would then admit them to the Championship.
Solhekol clarified that a sanctions hearing will be convened, staffed by the same three individuals who sat on the original commission. They have a menu of possible penalties: expulsion from the Premier League, a 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 welcome City, given the commercial and sporting interest the club generates. Conversely, if expulsion is the chosen sanction, City would need to apply for admission to the EFL, and the 72 member clubs would vote on the request. While there is no legal barrier to their entry, the decision would hinge on the collective will of the existing clubs, who would likely recognise the financial boost that a club of City's stature could bring to the lower tiers.
**What if the EFL refuses City entry?** Jonty asked whether the EFL could outright block City from its system and what the consequences would be. Solhekol replied that, technically, the EFL could decide against admitting a expelled Premier League club. However, he expressed doubt that such a scenario would occur, as there is little incentive for the league to reject a club that commands global attention and revenue. **Would City still receive parachute payments if relegated by points deduction?** Ash inquired about the financial safety net for clubs dropping from the top flight.
Solhekol affirmed that any club relegated from the Premier League, regardless of the reason, is entitled to parachute payments. These funds are designed to ease the transition to lower‑league revenues and would be paid to City just as they would to any other relegated side. **Can the Independent Football Regulator force a change of ownership or criminal charges?** Several users, including "Owners test" and PolarBear, wanted to know whether the regulator could compel the current owners to sell or bring criminal proceedings for alleged fraudulent accounting. Solhekol explained that the regulator does possess the authority to remove directors and require a change of ownership if it deems the club's governance compromised.
Nonetheless, such an intervention is considered a long‑term possibility and not an immediate outcome. Regarding criminal liability, he noted that false or misleading financial statements can attract prosecution under the UK Fraud Act 2006, and tax authorities such as HMRC may also investigate any undisclosed payments. At present, no formal criminal case has been launched, but the matter remains under observation by relevant agencies. **Why were the hearings held in private rather than in an open court?** Matt H questioned the secrecy surrounding the proceedings, suggesting that a public High Court hearing would provide greater transparency.
Solhekol responded that the Premier League operates as a private association of its 20 member clubs, each bound by a proprietary rulebook. Consequently, its disciplinary processes are conducted behind closed doors to protect confidential information and the interests of its members. Sports lawyers have criticised this lack of openness, but the league maintains that privacy is essential to preserve the integrity of its internal governance. **What about investigations into seasons beyond 2017/18?** Gooner2526 wondered why later seasons have not been examined, given the damning nature of the verdict for the 2009/10‑2017/18 period.
Solhekol explained that the tribunal's remit was limited to the evidence presented, which primarily stemmed from material obtained by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto. The data, handed to German magazine Der Spiegel, sparked UEFA’s and subsequently the Premier League’s investigations, but the scope of the evidence only covered up to the 2017/18 season. Unless new information emerges, the inquiry will not extend further. **Could players terminate their contracts if City is punished severely?** MattC asked whether a relegation or expulsion could give players the right to walk away from their deals.
Solhekol said that while contracts cannot simply be ripped up, 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 failed to disclose material information, a termination might be possible, though each case would depend on its specific clauses and the surrounding facts. **Overall outlook** In summary, the appeal process is expected to conclude within a few months unless City escalates the matter to the High Court, which could dramatically prolong the dispute. Potential sanctions range from points deductions to outright expulsion, each carrying distinct implications for City’s league status, financial obligations, and ownership structure.
The Independent Football Regulator and various government bodies retain the power to intervene, but any decisive action will likely follow the completion of the league’s internal proceedings. The situation remains fluid, and fans should stay tuned for further updates as the various panels and possible legal avenues move forward.