Hull City are expected to learn their fate at an EFL hearing early next month with an independent panel to hear their appeal against a three-window fee restriction ban.
As it stands, City will not be able to pay any transfer or loan fee for a player until the January transfer window in 2027, which would be a major blow to the club. They can only bring players in on free transfers or loan deals that do not involve fees.
The ban comes as a result of the club accumulating 30 days or more of late payments in a 12-month period. The punishment relates to the loan transfers of Louie Barry and Fin Burns, while the EFL has had other concerns about the club’s finances, and its ability to keep up the repayment of more than £20m worth of outstanding transfer payments to other clubs.
City have pushed to have the hearing as soon as possible, and Hull Live understands that the hearing will take place remotely in the first week of August, with two dates currently proposed, meaning they have to wait at least another week to find out the outcome.
An independent three-person panel will decide whether to uphold the EFL’s strict punishment, reduce it, or scrap it altogether. City have put forward their defence and believe they have a strong case to have it reduced at the very least with that decision expected just before the start of the Championship season at Coventry City.
Last year, Oxford United were slapped with a three-window fee restriction but had it reduced to a one-year fee restriction, suspended for two years, and were fined £3,500, following their appeal, so the club believes there is precedent in their favour.
Owner Acun Ilicali also believes the club has been able to demonstrate to the EFL that its financial position is sound, and will therefore see some reduction in the punishment at the very worst.
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