Leicester City Faces Possible Championship Points Deduction

Leicester City, expected to be a significant contender for promotion from the Championship, is facing the prospect of a points deduction next season. This comes after the Premier League referred the club to an independent commission for an alleged breach of EFL financial rules during their 2023/24 Championship promotion campaign.

An arbitration tribunal recently upheld a decision stating that the Premier League could not penalize Leicester for violating profit and sustainability rules (P&S) in the 2022/23 season, as the Foxes had been relegated from the top tier at the end of that campaign. However, the tribunal clarified that the Premier League is now able to investigate Leicester for possible P&S rule breaches during the 2023/24 season.

A Premier League statement explained, “The tribunal confirmed that the Premier League has the power to investigate an alleged breach of the P&S rules because the EFL validly transferred responsibility for its investigation to the Premier League in June 2024, when the club was promoted from the Championship. The Premier League continues to have jurisdiction even though Leicester City will be relegated to the Championship at the end of this season.”

Additionally, Leicester City is accused of failing to submit annual accounts to the Premier League by the end of 2024, as well as not providing “full, complete and prompt assistance” to the league concerning its inquiries.

“However, we will not be able to comment further on these proceedings until they are concluded, due to their confidential nature.”

An EFL spokesman commented, “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 permitted under EFL regulations, jurisdiction for that period passed to the Premier League upon the conclusion of the 2023/24 season after the club’s promotion. We will now await the outcome of the Premier League proceedings and, until then, are unable to comment further on the matter.”