Leicester face Championship points deduction after fresh Premier League charges
Leicester City are facing the renewed threat of a points deduction after three fresh charges by the Premier League.
Four weeks after Leicester's relegation to the Championship was confirmed, the club are now in danger of punishment next season for alleged financial breaches in the 2023-24 campaign.
The Premier League has charged the 2015-16 title winners for allegedly breaking the profitability and sustainability rules [PSR] during their promotion season in the Championship, and failing to submit their annual accounts on time.
Leicester are also accused of breaching 'the club's obligation to provide full, complete and prompt assistance to the Premier League in response to the League's inquiries.'
This latest legal row will go before an independent commission and sources have claimed that, if found guilty, a likely sanction is a hefty points deduction.
Recent changes to the rules now stipulate that any punishment can be applied at any time after a perceived 'loophole' was closed, so Leicester could be hit with a points deduction in the Championship next season.
Earlier this season Leicester won a legal challenge on the basis that the league did not have jurisdiction to punish them for breaching the PSR threshold leading up to the 2022-23 season. The club said they had identified 'flaws' in the Premier League rules, with sports lawyer Nick De Marco and his team compiling their case. It was effectively argued that Leicester could not be punished by the Premier League as they had been relegated to the Championship when their accounting period ended on June 30.
During Leicester's Championship season, the English Football League imposed a transfer embargo after the club allegedly breached the upper losses threshold. The investigation was then passed onto the Premier League following the club's promotion under Enzo Maresca last year.
An EFL spokesperson said: 'The EFL notes that the Premier League has today referred Leicester City to an independent commission for an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules for the period ending season 2023-24.
'The EFL commenced an investigation into this reporting period following the March 2024 submissions and as is permitted in accordance with EFL regulations, jurisdiction for that passed to the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season on the club's promotion. We will now await the outcome of the Premier League proceedings and until then are not able to comment any further on the matter.'
Leicester have reported financial losses of more than £200 million over the three-year reporting period. Clubs are permitted to lose £105 million in the Premier League, though clubs who have operated in the Championship are adjusted to £81 million.
Leicester adopted a combative stance last year, issuing legal proceedings against both the Premier League and EFL. The Premier League's handbook states that any PSR complaint must be heard by an independent commission within 12 weeks of the charge.
Under the management of former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Leicester are currently third from bottom and play their final game of the season at Bournemouth on Sunday.
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