Stoke City are watching a Championship crisis unfold around them as Hull City appeal against a three-window transfer embargo and Sheffield Wednesday try to find a new head coach
James Smailes Head of sport Yorkshire/North East and Peter Smith
13:06, 08 Jul 2025
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali is primed for another hectic summer
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali is appealing against punishment from the EFL.(Image: Serhat Cetinkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali claims his club is in good financial health and well run despite a week of crisis featuring a three-window transfer embargo.
Hull are appealing against punishment from the EFL resulting from the non-payment of money owed to Aston Villa for the loan of Louie Barry in the second-half of last season. It has been claimed that the club also owed Manchester City money regarding a loan of Fin Burns, plus local suppliers.
Ilicali has written an open letter to supporters insisting "there has been a lot of misinformation", there is "zero conflict" with any other club and he is "very confident" he will win the appeal.
He admits to the possibility of "some finance administrative errors" but suggests the squad is potentially worth £100 million, has "a very good" new manager in Sergej Jakirović and that he can personally cover significant weekly losses.
"It is clear there has been a lot of misinformation circulating in the last few days, so I wanted to clarify a few matters," he said, reported by HullLive. "There are zero issues between us and Aston Villa, in relation to both Louie Barry and Jaden Philogene arrangements, and we are very confident in our appeal case.
"The Fin Burns situation is actually quite simple. We intended to use proceeds of a player sale to settle this fee, and as soon as the EFL told us this wasn’t possible - due to reasons not related to us - we made a direct payment immediately to end the matter.
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"With regards to payments to suppliers, unfortunately the club experienced a cash flow issue when it didn’t receive a £1.5m payment for a player which was intended to clear invoices from suppliers. I will cover this shortfall until we receive the funds we are owed. Our team are in communication with all suppliers to rectify any outstanding issues as soon as possible.
"When I spoke with our fans last week, I told them the club is losing money and I am supporting when required. The club will always have my full backing whenever it needs it.
"I want to reassure our fans that we have zero conflict with any clubs. Perhaps there were some finance administrative errors, but I am sure the EFL will be understanding to our appeal and we are confident in our case.
"People are entitled to their opinions and to write a different story, that is life, but I will always be behind our club. Our squad has £100m potential, we have a very good coach, the best fans and if we are united together we can achieve our dreams."
Hull, who have former Stoke head of recruitment Jared Dublin as sporting director, start their new season at Coventry City on August 9 (12.30pm). Stoke City host the Tigers in November.
Sheffield Wednesday are also in turmoil. The Sheffield Star reports that they hope Danny Rohl's assistant Henrik Pedersen, whose contract ran out at the end of June, can be persuaded to stay on and lead the team if and when Rohl's exit is finally confirmed.
Wednesday are already under transfer fee restrictions for the next three windows due to money owed to players, staff, other club and HMRC.
The Star adds: "The fee restrictions can be appealed if they’re deemed to be disproportionate, and there may be space for a new owner – should somebody successfully complete a takeover from Dejphon Chansiri – for them to be shortened. However it appears unlikely that it would be thrown out completely.
"On top of all of the above, Wednesday are currently dealing with the further issue of a number of players having handed in their 15-day notice after being paid late – or not at all – for the last two months, while there are also question marks over the managerial situation.
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"The club has headed out to St George’s Park for a six-day training camp, with (youth coach) Andy Holdsworth set to take lead on the sessions in the absence of Röhl, who remains contracted but locked in negotiations to leave the club."
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