Leicester escape Premier League points deduction after winning PSR breach appeal (original) (raw)

Steve Cooper's Leicester City were looking at a heavy points deduction if they were found guilty - but as it is they will now escape scot-free, with the Premier League in the embarrassing position of being unable to enforce its own rules

Leicester City have avoided a points deduction after winning their battle over PSR breaches

Leicester City have won their legal fight with the Premier League - and cannot be pursued for breaking any financial rules.

The Foxes argued against a decision that they could be punished after allegedly recording significant losses over those allowed by the Profit and Sustainability regulations.

And they have won their battle - leaving the Premier League in the embarrassing position of being unable to enforce its own rules. Had they lost, Leicester were looking at a heavy points deduction - but as it is they will now escape scot-free.‌

Leicester said it "welcomes" the decision, adding that the verdict "supports our consistently stated position that any action against the club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules".

The Premier League said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the move to uphold the Foxes' appeal. The organisation had been chasing the Foxes over a deficit that was reportedly £19.5m over the permitted £105m deficit that had been run up to June 30 2023.

Initially, a commission had upheld the Premier League’s view that Leicester were in breach and could be held to account - but that has been overturned on appeal. The argument centred upon whether or not the Foxes were members of the Premier League and could be sanctioned as such.‌

However, lawyers for the club argued that their shareholding in the Premier League had been transferred to Luton Town and there was no specific provision in the wording that allowed them to penalise the club afterwards as they were no longer members of the top-flight.

The news will be a huge boost to Steve Cooper as he looks to secure safety for his newly-promoted side (

Image:

PA)

The Premier League said that the appeal board's decision "effectively means that, despite the club being a member of the (Premier) League from seasons 2019/20 to 2022/23, the League cannot take action against the club for exceeding the relevant PSR threshold in respect of the associated accounting periods".

The decision will come as a major boost for boss Steve Cooper whose job in retaining the club’s status would have been made considerably more difficult had any points penalty been imposed.

It comes nearly a year since Everton were docked 12 points by the Premier League for breaches of their financial rules, with Nottingham Forest docked four earlier this year after also falling foul of regulations.

Manchester City were charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League's rules in February 2023, with the reigning league champions set to face a hearing over the charges later this year - with a verdict expected in 2025.

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