Leicester facing TWO Premier League point deductions for breaking spending rules during Championship campaign

4 months ago 49

LEICESTER are facing two separate points deductions from the Premier League this season for breaking spending rules.

SunSport has learned the EFL handed over their probe into the Foxes’ alleged PSR breaches in the Championship to the Prem who are expected to charge the club, owned by Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha for a second time.

File photo dated 23/07/24 of Leicester City manager Steve Cooper. Five Premier League clubs have new managers heading into the new season, with three of them never having been in charge of an English top-flight side previously. Issue date: Thursday August 8, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Premier League Managers. Photo credit should read: Barrington Coombs/PA WireSteve Cooper’s Leicester City may face a two point deduction after overspending
FILE - Leicester's Jamie Vardy runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)Jamie Vardy’s Leicester side are accused of breaking PSR rules in the Championship

Leicester are likely to suffer the same fate as Everton, who were given two points deductions for overspending in successive three-year periods ending in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The Toffees had November’s ten-point deduction reduced to six on appeal for the first offence.

But they were then hit with another two-point rap for the next period.

Leicester were charged by the Prem in March with breaching the £105million loss limit for the period ending 2022-23.

But the case was delayed as the club have launched a legal challenge.
Leicester’s lawyers say the Prem had no right to charge them while they were in the Championship.

The Premier League charges relate to Foxes’ top-flight seasons between 2020 and 2023 when they lost £215.3m, more than £110m over the limit.

While the EFL are forecasting another large overspend for last season.

The EFL even began investigating Leicester’s 2023-24 finances in real time last season due to concerns that they would breach the limits again.

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 Photo by Action Press/REX/Shutterstock (14618731cu) Soccer, preparation 1. Bundesliga, , Leicester City - FC Augsburg. In the picture Jannik VESTERGAARD (Leicester City, 23) Portrait torso half figure cut single motif Soccer, Preparation 1. Bundesliga, 20240803, Leicester City - FC Augsburg, Illerstadion, Kempten, Bavaria, Germany - 03 Aug 2024Jannik Vestergaard and Leicester begin their Prem campaign against Tottenham

An attempt to impose an EFL-run business plan on Leicester was defeated on appeal but the club was given a transfer ban in the second half of the promotion season and the matter has been passed on to the Premier League.

Sources have told SunSport that the Premier League are expected to push for two points deductions.

Given Leicester are fighting the Prem’s right to charge them the eventual punishment is unlikely to be reduced due to mitigating factors, which Everton and Nottingham Forest benefited from last term.

Everton’s second punishment was reduced from five points to two thanks to their co-operation.

While Forest’s penalty came down from eight to six points due to their early guilty plea.

Leicester’s tactics have varied during the case, which could cost them.
Having co-operated with the top flight as they were running away with the Championship last season, the club sought to delay matters when poor results put promotion at risk.

Leicester kick off the season at home to Tottenham tomorrow in Steve Cooper’s first competitive game at the club.
The Premier League has declined to comment.

Premier League sides deducted points and others at risk

Nottingham Forest

Deducted four points during the 2023-24 season for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Failed in their appeal with decision upheld.

Everton

Initial 10-point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Were deducted a further two points later in the 2023-24 season. Appealed, but since withdrawn following Prem survival.

Sheffield United

Hit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022-23 EFL season. Will begin the 2024-25 Championship season on -2 points following their relegation from the Prem.

OTHERS WHO COULD FACE PUNISHMENT…

Manchester City

Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.

Chelsea

Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.

Leicester

Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction for the 2024-25 season following their return to the top flight.

Everton (again)

The Toffees are again at risk of breaking PSR rules and are in a race against time to raise funds and balance the books. Not only could that lead to another charge but also administration. That would lead to an automatic nine-point deduction for the 2024/25 season.

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