Leicester: Leicester City have been docked six points by the English Football League for breaching financial rules. The deduction will be applied immediately, meaning the Foxes fall from 17th to 20th in the Championship and are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
According to Ghana Web, the penalty comes after Leicester were charged by the Premier League in May for a profit and sustainability (PSR) breach over the three years leading up to the 2023-24 season. Leicester were relegated from the top flight last season and are currently without a permanent manager after Marti Cifuentes was sacked in January.
In an official statement, Leicester expressed their disappointment with the decision, describing it as "disproportionate." The club noted that while the commission's findings reduced the original scale of the sanction sought by the Premier League, they still believe the recommendation does not adequately reflect the mitigating factors they presented. Leicester emphasized the potential impact on their sporting ambitions this season and stated they are reviewing the decision and considering their options.
Under PSR rules, Premier League clubs are not permitted to lose more than £105 million over three years, with the figure reduced by £22 million for each season outside the top flight. Leicester's accounts for the period ending June 30, 2024, showed a loss of £19.4 million. In their 2022-23 accounts, Leicester reported an £89.7 million loss, while in the 12 months up to May 2022, they lost a club record £92.5 million. These figures exclude 'add backs' such as building infrastructure and investing in women's football, which the Premier League and EFL consider in the general interest of clubs.
Leicester are winless in their last four Championship fixtures, having lost three of them. Interim head coach Andy King will take the Foxes to face Birmingham City on Saturday. Despite being charged by the Premier League, the EFL took on the case following Leicester's relegation to the second tier, and the Foxes have been sanctioned under EFL PSR rules.
Leicester argued that their case should have been considered over a 36-month period, rather than 37 months, due to a delay in submitting their 2023-24 accounts. The commission ruled in favor of a 36-month assessment, determining that Leicester's overspend was £20.8 million above the EFL's £83 million limit. Although a maximum 12-point penalty could have been imposed, the committee settled on a six-point deduction in light of Leicester's "improving financial position" during the assessment period.