Man City Appeal: 12-Week Process, Verdict by New Year
Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission. They must appeal by Friday October 2. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol has answered reader questions on the appeal timeline, potential EFL admission and more.
- Verdict: Man City found guilty of all charges related to serious Premier League financial rule breaches by an independent commission.
- Appeal deadline: Friday, 2 October 2025.
- Appeal timeline: Premier League process expected to be wrapped by Christmas (12 weeks), with a judgement within 30 days of that period.
- Possible sanctions: Expulsion from the Premier League, points deduction, transfer ban, or a big fine.
- EFL fate: If relegated via points deduction, EFL would likely admit City; if expelled, City would have to apply and the EFL's 72 clubs would decide.
- Parachute payments: City would receive them if relegated, according to Solhekol.
What was said
"The football process will be done relatively quickly. If Man City take it to the High Court though, it could run for years and years."
"But with the Premier League process, City have until Friday to appeal, then that would need to be wrapped by Christmas, I think - 12 weeks."
"We would then get a judgement in 30 days of that 12-week period being over. We will get the judgement of the appeal in the new year and well before the end of the season. That appeal will be heard by a new three-person panel."
"What is going to happen is, we will have a sanctions hearing. The same three people who delivered the judgement and were on the original commission will decide what the punishment will be."
"They have a range of options. City could be expelled from the Premier League, could be a points deduction, transfer ban or big fine. We have to wait and find out what the punishment will be."
"If they just get a points deduction, which means they are relegated this season, then I imagine the EFL would accept them."
"If they are expelled, the EFL does not need to necessarily accept them. They would have to apply to be admitted to the EFL and it would be up to the EFL's 72 clubs to decide."
"You would imagine the EFL would want to admit them as City are a big club. Wherever they go, there will be big interest and big support."
"Technically they could. If they are expelled from the Premier League, the EFL may decide they don't want Man City in the EFL, but I don't understand why they would not want City in the EFL."
"I don't see any reason why they wouldn't receive parachute payments, just like any other club if they were relegated from the Premier League. That is the simple answer."
"Now we have an Independent Football Regulator, it may well be the case that the regulator takes an interest in this, once the whole process has run its course."
"They do have the power to disbar people from owning clubs or having senior roles, for instance being directors of clubs. That is a possibility. But again, let's make it clear, City say it is never going to get as far as that because we will prove that we are innocent."
"We've had a lot of questions like this and yes, the regulator has the power to force an owner to sell a club, but we are a long way away from the possibility of that happening."
"I can only assume that the evidence put in front of the tribunal only went up to that season. What we do know is a lot of the evidence came in material obtained by a Portuguese hacker, Rui Pinto, who hacked into City's email servers and handed that information on to German magazine Der Spiegel. They first reported their investigations in a series of articles that were published in 2018 and that is what promoted UEFA's investigations and also triggered the Premier League's investigation. The short answer is - the evidence that was presented to the tribunal only went up to 2018."
"We have to wait and see. What I do know is that when you file company accounts, you have a legal duty to make sure the financial declarations you make are true and accurate. If you fraudulently misrepresent the figures, then you could be charged under the Fraud Act of 2006 and that is a serious issue. I imagine the relevant authorities will be looking at that."
"There's also the possibility that HMRC - the tax man - might take an interest in this as well because we know from what the commission has said that Man City were paying people in a roundabout way off the books. That could mean the National Insurance and the tax that had to be paid wasn't paid. But again, that's something we have to wait and see if HMRC take interest in that."
"Man City still to this day say they have done absolutely nothing wrong and they are very confident that their name will be cleared and their innocence will be established."
"Good question. I don't think you can just rip up your contract but I think you could seek legal advice. If you could establish that you signed the contract and the other party to the contract did not make you fully aware of the situation at the club when you signed the contract, then you may be able to walk away from your contract. That is something players would need to get legal advice on. It is not something I would totally discount."
"That may or may not have happened [clauses in contracts]. I don't think there would be clauses in the contract about whether, if this judgement goes against us, they can go away [leave]. No player is going to show me or you their contract."
Solhekol's answers provide a clear framework for what happens next. The appeal window closes on Friday, and the Premier League process should conclude by Christmas, with a judgement in the new year. The sanctions hearing, conducted by the same three-person panel, will determine City's punishment. If expelled, City's entry into the EFL is not guaranteed; the 72 EFL clubs would vote on admittance. Parachute payments would apply if City are relegated via points deduction. Off-field, the Independent Football Regulator could intervene, and HMRC may investigate tax and National Insurance matters.
The numbers
- 12 weeks: Expected duration of the Premier League appeal process after the deadline.
- 30 days: Timeframe for a judgement after the 12-week period.
- 72 clubs: Number of EFL clubs who would decide on Man City's admittance if they are expelled.
- 2018: The year up to which evidence was presented to the tribunal.
- Friday, 2 October 2025: Deadline for Man City to appeal.
Analysis: What the verdict means for City's future
Manchester City face a range of sanctions, from a points deduction to expulsion. If the punishment is a points deduction that relegates them, the EFL would likely accept them into the Championship, and they would receive parachute payments. However, if they are expelled, the EFL's 72 clubs would vote on their admittance, and there is no guarantee they would be accepted. The Independent Football Regulator could also play a role, with the power to disbar owners or force a sale, though Solhekol notes that is a long way off.
On the pitch, the appeal timeline means City will know their fate well before the end of the season, but the uncertainty could affect player morale and transfer plans. The sanctions hearing will be crucial, and the same panel that delivered the guilty verdict will decide the punishment. City continue to deny the breaches and have confirmed they will appeal.
Talking points
- Should City be expelled rather than just relegated? The panel has the power, but would the EFL accept them if they are expelled?
- If City are relegated, parachute payments would soften the blow, but is that fair when the relegation is due to breaches?
- The Independent Football Regulator could force owners out, but is that realistic given City's insistence they will clear their name?
- Why did the evidence only go up to 2018? Should later seasons be investigated too?
What happens next
Manchester City have until Friday, 2 October 2025, to appeal the verdict. The appeal would be heard by a new three-person panel and should be wrapped up by Christmas (12 weeks), with a judgement in the new year. A sanctions hearing will then determine the punishment. City continue to deny the breaches and have confirmed they will appeal.
Frequently asked questions
When will Manchester City's appeal be heard?
The appeal must be lodged by Friday, 2 October 2025. The Premier League process is expected to last 12 weeks, with a judgement within 30 days of that period ending, so a decision is expected in the new year.
Could Manchester City be expelled from the Premier League?
Yes, expulsion is one of the sanctions available to the independent commission. Other options include a points deduction, transfer ban, or a big fine.
Would Manchester City get parachute payments if relegated?
According to Kaveh Solhekol, there is no reason why they would not receive parachute payments, just like any other club relegated from the Premier League.
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