According to English media outlet The Mirror, Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has commented on Manchester City's Premier League charges, stating that if Manchester City did indeed violate financial rules, such behavior "is no different from doping and winning an Olympic medal."

On Friday, news emerged that an independent commission is expected to uphold 114 of the 115 charges against Manchester City. Hull City owner Ilicali subsequently became the first Premier League club owner to publicly comment on the matter.

Ilicali stated that if Manchester City's appeal against the ruling ultimately fails, the punishment must be severe enough to deter other clubs from following suit.

Speaking on the "1904 Club" podcast, Ilicali said: "Manchester City's chairman says they are innocent. I won't say whether they are guilty or innocent, because they claim innocence while the Premier League believes they are not. If they truly have issues, then I think it's no different from doping and winning an Olympic medal. Ultimately, it's financial doping. Spending huge sums to bring in four or five top players while breaking the rules. From this perspective, it is not a positive thing."

Hull City was previously penalized by the English Football League (EFL) in 2025 for failing to make timely payments to other clubs and was placed under a transfer embargo for three transfer windows, one of which was later suspended.

Given that his own club has faced penalties, Ilicali hopes that if Manchester City is ultimately found guilty and the ruling stands after appeal, they will receive severe punishment commensurate with the seriousness of the offense.

Ilicali commented: "As a club owner, I shouldn't say too much about this because I don't know all the details and wasn't personally involved. Personally, I can only speak generally: if there is unfair behavior in football, it should be punished."

"If only a minor penalty is given, then everyone will do it. For the future of football and to keep football clean, if such a thing really happened, it should be punished, and people should not be allowed to continue doing similar things."

"I like the natural financial disparity in football. For us, we won't have the same budget as the top six or ten teams in the Premier League, but we respect that."

"Due to the normal revenues these clubs generate, there is already a sufficiently large financial gap between us and them. Please do not create an even larger gap with additional funds. The revenues these teams normally receive are already enough to create a disparity."

"If there is a violation, it's not an ordinary mistake like 'I made a mistake and then I can appeal.' If something like this truly happened, such behavior gives certain teams a huge advantage, which is unfair."

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