What Kieran Maguire and Hull City owner Acun Ilicali had to say on club’s financial position

We take a look at what Kieran Maguire and Hull City owner Acun Ilicali had to say on club’s financial position.

Hull City has been hit with a three-window transfer fee restriction by the EFL for failing to make payments to football creditors within 30 days, specifically related to a debt from Louie Barry’s loan from Aston Villa.

Although the embargo has been lifted after settling the debt, the punishment remains, barring the club from paying transfer fees until January 2027.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali will ‘come out swinging’ to defend position with club in ‘fine place’ #hcafc https://t.co/lN09ddkUAU

— Hull City Live (@HDMHullCity) July 5, 2025

Hull City deals in doubt as transfer fee punishment already begins to hit Tigers. #hcafc https://t.co/arGKrmIuHC

— Hull City Live (@HDMHullCity) July 6, 2025

As reported by Hull Live, the Tigers are appealing the sanction, and had 14 days to do so, before being heard by a hastily convened independent disciplinary panel, hoping to reduce it to one window or have it expunged entirely, with confidence among club leadership that the appeal will succeed.

We have previously seen an example of a successful appeal with Oxford United, whose similar punishment was reduced and suspended.

Despite the restriction, Hull can sign free agents and loan players without fees.

Fans are frustrated by the club’s financial mismanagement, with concerns over unpaid local suppliers and delayed player wages.

Owner Acun Ilicali meanwhile is preparing to address the situation publicly, defending the club’s actions, with an extended media interview planned soon.

BBC Radio Humberside also understands there is uncertainty surrounding the futures of summer signings Gustavo Puerta and Reda Laalaoui as a result of the embargo.

A scan be heard below, Barry Cooper and James Smailes spoke about the Hull City transfer embargo situation, with Barry saying what was talked about in an interview with owner Acun Ilicali.

Acun Ilicali told the fans multiple times during Mondays Q&A that Hull City did not have financial troubles.

I myself, appreciate his openness and perceived honesty in these sessions. I’m sure he will be hurting regardless of opinions on how this happened, sad times 😔#hcafc https://t.co/zx83KtpC8I pic.twitter.com/h43NaqiavX

— The Black N Amber (@TheBlackNAmber) July 3, 2025

Speaking on The 1904 Club podcast which you can listen to here, or below, Barry Cooper said: “I think it is fair to say he’s not overly happy but he’s in a very defiant mood about the situation.

“He’s unhappy with how he believes this has been handled by the authorities and there was a conflict there with Aston Villa as to whether they even owed the money for Louie Barry because of a credit agreement they had after the sale of Jaden Philogene.

“He is adamant they are in a fine place. They are appealing the EFL decision and there is precedent on winning the appeal. Acun hopes that it gets reduced to a one window ban and he’s bullish about getting signings done this summer.

“He told me players are actively interested in coming to the club and there is a striker who wants to come. He was at pains to say they have five loan spaces they can use. I don’t think he sees it as the end of the world if they get a one window ban.

“He’s told me he’s going to do some media interviews over the next few days starting with broadcast interviews with the radio and then written media next week. I get the impression he’s going to come out swinging.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside on Monday, Ilicali dismissed concerns and questions about the club’s mounting debt – which in the most recent set of accounts showed losses in excess of £60m.

“We don’t owe any money to anybody – the club owes money to me and I am the owner,” Ilicali said.

“I am spending from my pocket but we have extremely good players in the squad. I can say to the fans do not be under stress, we are fine.”

Price of Football podcaster Kieran Maguire said to the BBC: “It is fair to say there have been stories circulating the last few weeks that Hull City had some cash flow challenges. Now, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to confirm those allegations and that’s why myself and others chose not to say anything, but the sources we’ve heard from are fairly reliable, there just wasn’t sufficient evidence.

“I think this is confirming the impression that Hull City’s cash flow situation wasn’t as good as it an be. The owner has put a lot of money into the club, but as always with cash, having cash on the right day of the right amount can be a challenge no matter how wealthy you are.

“It’s clearly not ideal, but it’s not disastrous. It is fair to say that Sheffield Wednesday are closer to administration than Hull City are.

“This appears to be one set of financial commitments the club couldn’t make, whereas there has been a more systematic issue at Sheffield Wednesday. Wages have been late three times in the last four months and some players have not been paid their May wages. We are not in that position as far as Hull City are concerned, but it is not perfect.”

Click play on the audio below to hear what Kieran had to say…

Twitter users reacted after what Kieran Maguire and Hull City owner Acun Ilicali had to say on the club’s financial position…

@tomablett:
“We have zero problem; the finances of the club are very good.”
“We don’t owe any money to anyone.”
“Losses aren’t £60 m – really only £20 m after sales.”
Acun Ilıcalı is a LIAR.
Time for honesty and a concrete plan—deliver or step aside. #hcafc

@jonah25493223: The plan is there is no plan! #hcafc

@kafadoderler: Dear Hull City fans, as a Fenerbahçe fan, I can understand you very well. The liar Acun Ilıcalı served as vice president of Fenerbahçe last season and deceived the fans by constantly telling lies and making promises. We understand you very well 🧡🖤 💛💙

@RobinNestBCFC: If only you had a manager who has experience working for clubs that have financial issues and transfer embargoes… oh wait

@PhilOneLife: Let’s hope so. 🤞 However whilst I’ll always support my club, I don’t like that the fans were lied to by Acun on Monday when asked if we had financial issues. Should have come clean. We’d respect him more. ⚫️🟠

@Griffffxs: Everything is just built on a foundation of lies. Yet the fans are expected to pay more and pay the price of others failings. It’s a massive shame & it’s embarrassing.

@JonKirby1974: So we were blatantly lied to at the q&a on Monday. We need clarification on how bad this actually is.

@HullCity1975: This is what happens when we have no stability and keep having the change over of players and coaches. We’ve wasted so much money on rubbish especially in wages. We’ve lost Gelhardt, Pedro and now can’t buy players. We are doomed without a goalscorer . Even Belloumi can’t save us

@mikehcafc1: If resolving the matter is as quick as you have been with other things I have no hope! Transparency is key we as fans deserve better

@NathJames134: Confident ? Just like you were confident Zambrano wouldn’t be banned. Confident enough to give Rosenior a new deal before sacking him a couple months later. Publicly confident in Walter but sacked 48 hours later. I’m confident we’re a laughing stock again lads. #hcafc

@JONMAIL1: I suspect the only way it can be resolved is for Acun to pay the debts and show he has the cash to meet future obligations- I also suspect he has no intention of doing either ??

@Andytlee2: Just pay the bills in a timely fashion like a normal person @acunilicali fucks sake man #hcafc

@mattyhersch: What an absolute shitshow!!! Got to feel sorry for Jakirović as he’s been sold a lie by the ownership. Hoping his managerial credentials are prudent as think we’ve got another season of struggle ahead. Fans deserve better & an explanation for the ownership #hcafc