Kaveh Solhekol recently fielded a series of viewer questions about Manchester City after an independent commission concluded that the club had breached Premier League financial regulations in every charge brought against it. Despite the damning verdict, City maintain that they did not commit any wrongdoing and have announced their intention to appeal the decision. The deadline for filing an appeal is Friday, 2 October, and the club has already signalled that it will pursue every possible avenue to overturn the ruling.
In a live interview on Sky Sports News, Solhekol, the chief correspondent for the network, tackled a wide array of topics ranging from the expected timeline of the appeal to the potential consequences for the club, including the possibility of relegation to the English Football League (EFL), the fate of player contracts, and the role of the newly‑created Independent Football Regulator. Below is a comprehensive recap of the Q&A, re‑phrased and expanded for clarity.
**How long might the appeal process last? Could it stretch on for months or even years?** RhydonDN asked about the duration of the appeal.
Solhekol explained that, under the Premier League’s own procedural timetable, Manchester City must lodge their appeal by the Friday deadline. Once submitted, the appeal is expected to be heard within roughly twelve weeks, which would place the hearing around the Christmas period.
After the hearing, a judgment is typically issued within thirty days, meaning a final decision on the appeal should be delivered in the new year, well before the close of the season. He added that the appeal will be heard by a new three‑person panel, distinct from the original commission. However, Solhekol warned that City could choose to take the matter to the High Court, arguing that the Premier League’s internal process was biased or procedurally flawed. If they pursue that route, the litigation could extend for several years.
Additionally, the Football Association (FA) may launch its own inquiry to determine whether any of its regulations were breached by the club or its staff. Meanwhile, four clubs—Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur—have already indicated they may seek compensation from City, and other clubs are expected to follow suit once the Premier League’s decision is finalised. **Could the Premier League dock enough points to guarantee City’s relegation? Would the EFL accept them if they drop to the Championship?** Josh asked whether the league might impose a points deduction large enough to force relegation, and what the EFL’s response would be.
Solhekol clarified that a sanctions hearing is still to come, and the same three individuals who delivered the original judgment will decide on the appropriate punishment. Their options include expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction, a transfer ban, or a substantial fine.
If the penalty is limited to a points deduction that results in relegation, it is likely the EFL would admit City into the Championship, as they would be a high‑profile addition that would generate significant interest and revenue. In the event of outright expulsion, the situation becomes more complex. The club would need to apply for admission to the EFL, and the 72 existing member clubs would vote on whether to accept them. While there is no legal barrier preventing entry, Solhekol expressed doubt that the EFL would refuse a club of City’s size, given the commercial benefits involved.
**Is it possible for the EFL to block City’s entry into its league system? What would happen then?** Jonty raised this scenario. Solhekol responded that, technically, the EFL could reject an application, but he could not envisage a reason for them to do so.
The league’s primary concern is maintaining the integrity of the competition, and excluding a club of City’s stature would be unprecedented and likely to provoke legal challenges. **If City are relegated via points deduction, will they still receive parachute payments? And will investigations continue for seasons after 2019?** Ash wondered about the financial safety net for a relegated City.
Solhekol affirmed that any club relegated from the Premier League automatically qualifies for parachute payments, designed to ease the financial shock of dropping to a lower division. Therefore, City would receive the same support as any other relegated side. Regarding further investigations, Solhekol noted that the current tribunal’s evidence only covered the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons, with the most recent material stemming from a 2018 leak by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto.
No additional seasons have been examined publicly, though that does not preclude future inquiries. **Could the owners be forced to sell the club under the owners’ charter, or face criminal charges for alleged fraudulent accounts?** The user "Owners test" asked about the potential for forced ownership changes and criminal prosecution. Solhekol explained that the Independent Football Regulator, which has recently been established, may have the authority to remove directors and compel a change of ownership if it deems the club’s governance to be compromised. However, any such action is still a long way off, and City maintain that they will prove their innocence.
**Can the independent regulator actually compel the current owners to relinquish control?** PolarBear received a concise answer: yes, the regulator possesses the power to force an owner to sell, but the circumstances required for such a drastic measure have not yet materialised, and it remains a remote possibility. **Why haven’t later seasons (post‑2018) been investigated, given the severity of the findings for 2009‑2018?** Gooner2526 asked why the tribunal stopped at the 2017/18 season. Solhekol explained that the evidence presented to the tribunal was limited to that timeframe because the material originated from a series of leaks by Rui Pinto, which were first reported by German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018. Those leaks triggered UEFA’s and the Premier League’s investigations, but no further evidence from later seasons has been submitted to the tribunal so far.
**Is there a risk of a criminal or regulatory investigation into alleged corporate fraud by City?** Dan’s question touched on the broader legal implications. Solhekol noted that filing false financial statements is a criminal offence under the UK Fraud Act 2006.
If authorities determine that City’s accounts were deliberately misleading, the club could face prosecution, substantial fines, and possibly imprisonment for individuals involved. Additionally, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) may investigate tax‑related aspects, such as undeclared payments or National Insurance contributions.
The National Economic Crime Centre could also open a case to examine whether the 2006 Fraud Act has been breached. While City continue to deny any wrongdoing, the possibility of criminal scrutiny remains.
**If the punishment includes relegation, could players terminate their contracts because of the club’s alleged misconduct?** MattC wondered about players’ contractual rights. Solhekol responded that while contracts cannot simply be ripped up, players could seek legal advice to determine whether the club’s conduct constitutes a breach of contract. If a player can demonstrate that they were misled about the club’s financial stability or governance at the time of signing, they might have grounds to terminate the agreement.
However, each case would depend on the specific terms of the contract and the evidence presented. **Why was the original hearing held in complete privacy rather than in a public court?** Matt H asked about the secrecy of the process. Solhekol explained that the Premier League operates as a private association of 20 member clubs, each bound by a proprietary rulebook. As such, its disciplinary proceedings are considered private matters, not subject to the same openness requirements as a High Court trial.
Sports lawyers have argued for greater transparency, but the league maintains that confidentiality protects the integrity of its internal processes. Overall, the situation remains fluid. Manchester City have pledged to fight the verdict on every legal front, while the Premier League, the FA, and the Independent Football Regulator are preparing to determine the final sanctions. Fans, clubs, and the wider football community will be watching closely as the next few months unfold, because the outcome could reshape the competitive landscape of English football for years to come.