Leicester City lose appeal as six-point PSR deduction is confirmed | OneFootball

Leicester City will retain their six-point deduction after an appeal by both the club and the Premier League was dismissed by an independent board.

The sanction was originally imposed in February after Leicester were found to have breached the English Football League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

The breach related to the three-year financial period ending with the 2023/24 season.

A statement released by the Premier League confirmed that the appeal board had rejected Leicester’s challenge to the punishment.

The board also dismissed a separate challenge from the Premier League, which had sought a harsher sanction.

As a result, the original six-point deduction remains in place. The decision leaves Leicester 22nd in the Championship table.

With five matches remaining in the season, the club are one point away from safety.

According to the Premier League statement, Leicester’s appeal had been based on several arguments.

These included questioning whether the commission had the authority to impose a points deduction and challenging the severity of the sanction.

The Premier League had also appealed the original ruling. Officials had argued that the punishment should have been increased because Leicester submitted their annual accounts late.

However, the appeal board ruled that the commission had already considered that issue when determining the original sanction.

Financial records showed Leicester exceeded the permitted PSR threshold by £20.8 million during the relevant three-year assessment period.

The Premier League had initially pushed for a 12-point deduction, while Leicester argued that a financial fine would have been a more appropriate penalty.

Leicester released a statement following the appeal verdict.

“We acknowledge that an independent commission’s decision to recommend a six-point deduction on the club this season has been upheld by an independent appeal board,” the club said.

“With the matter now concluded and five games remaining, everyone at the club is focused on the matches ahead.”

Leicester also thanked supporters for their backing during what they described as a difficult period.

The club emphasised that their priority is now securing enough points to remain in the Championship.

Leicester’s remaining fixtures are against Swansea City, Portsmouth, Hull City, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

Their fate in the division will now be determined on the pitch during the final weeks of the campaign.