When Hull City won promotion to the Premier League by beating Middlesbrough in the play-off final, the victory triggered a guaranteed £200m windfall but also exposed a £6m overspend on their profit and sustainability calculation. Under English Football League rules, that could result in a six-point penalty.
Owner Acun Ilicali admitted at a Q&A at the MKM Stadium: 'We have overspent and we have to sell some players before 1 July.' Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport that Hull's losses had been 'relatively modest' in recent seasons, but only because of £33m in player sales of Jaden Philogene and Jacob Greaves. Maguire estimated an overspend of about £17m in 2025-26.
“Hull City must sell players to avoid a six-point penalty after promotion, while West Ham were relegated despite beating Leeds.”
Ilicali, who became owner in 2022, said: 'Now we are a Premier League team, the values [of players] has raised up which is a good advantage.' But the club must act before the end of the month, with key loanees including Joe Gelhardt, Amir Hadziahmetovic, John Lundstram and Lewis Koumas returning.
Elsewhere, West Ham United's 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end on the final day of the season despite beating Leeds at London Stadium.