HULL CITY FIGHTING TO AVOID PREMIER LEAGUE POINTS DEDUCTION - BEFORE FIRST SEASON AFTER PROMOTION STARTS - AS OWNER ADMITS THEY MUST SELL PLAYERS

 

Hull City are attempting to avoid being hit with a six-point deduction in the Premier League with their owner admitting they must sell players to ensure they do not breach financial rules.

The Tigers must sell players before the end of the month to avoid punishment after overspending in their profit and sustainability (PSR) calculation.  

Owner Acun Ilicali admitted that Hull will have to part way with some players but insisted it was a 'manageable' situation.

'We have overspent and we have to sell some players before 1 July,' Ilicali said this month. 'I'm not afraid, we have managed harder things. For us, this is more manageable. Now we are a Premier League team, the values (of our players) have risen.'

Under English Football League rules, clubs are allowed to lose £39million over a three-season period.

It is understood Hull are set to pay out around £12million in player bonuses after their 1-0 play-off final victory over Middlesbrough, though as that does not need to be paid until August, it is expected to count towards the calculations for the next financial year.

Millwall have bid £5million for forward Kyle Joseph, which would cover most of the shortfall, but he has not agreed to depart and will not be fit for a few weeks in any case, which would complicate a medical. 

Naturally, Hull would look to upgrade their squad and that would entail some departures as well as incomings.

They will take heart by how Sunderland defied the odds as play-off winners to qualify for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League last campaign. 

The financial year for most clubs typically end on June 30, so if Hull raise enough cash by then, they would not need to worry so much. The Premier League's rules permit a £105m loss over a three-year period. 

Manager Sergej Jakirovic has already proven that he can get Hull to punch above their weight - few tipped them to even challenge for the play-offs last season.

All the same, the Yorkshire club feel a squad upgrade is needed and are looking at various signings. 

They have already opened talks for Sporting Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. 

The Premier League new boys want two goalkeepers for their return to the top flight and are understood to have offered £12.5m plus add-ons for the 6ft 6ins Czech Republic international who is part of his country's World Cup squad.

They have also enquired about Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who has been on the radar of Newcastle and Tottenham.

- LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER

SOUTHAMPTON CHARGED BY EFL AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF SPYING ON MIDDLESBROUGH

 

The Riverside Stadium hosts the first leg between Middlesbrough and Southampton

Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after being accused of spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of the two clubs' Championship play-off semi-final.

The English Football League had received a complaint from Middlesbrough over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone connected to Southampton during a training session ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

The incident had revived memories of an incident when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for spying on a Derby training session before a match between the two clubs in January 2019.

An EFL statement on Friday night read: "Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"The charges relate to the following Regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

"The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing. "

Saints responded to the EFL charge, saying: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process.

"Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time."

Middlesbrough have been approached for comment by the Press Association.

Hull and Millwall met on Friday night in the other Championship semi-final, with the first leg being drawn 0-0.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic said he was completely unaware of the 'spygate' story surrounding Southampton.

"Why do you need to spy? We played already," Jakirovic said.

"I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise (with?) He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?"

Millwall manager Alex Neil said: "I would certainly comment on it if somebody from Hull was hiding in a tree videoing our training. Well, I might not have caught him yet!

"It doesn’t affect us, so I’m not going to get involved in that conversation."

The alleged incident has revived memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its ‘good faith’ regulations in 2019.

Then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to the Derby training ground before a match between the two clubs.

Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.

- RTE | 100