Leeds United ‘open legal proceedings’ against Leicester amid £35m judgement | OneFootball

Leeds United have reportedly opened legal proceedings against Leicester City after missing out on 2023/24 promotion.

According to The Athletic, a statement of claim has been served on Leicester. Leeds are said to have listed specific losses and requested an assessment of damages, with a hearing expected next summer.

Leicester won the league, Ipswich Town finished second, and Leeds were third to enter the play-offs.

Leeds then lost the play-off final to Southampton. Leicester were later found to have breached Profitability and Sustainability Rules and were docked six points in February, a deduction that played a role in their relegation to League One.

Reports in June said Leeds were weighing legal action after a shock ruling in a comparable case. A Premier League panel ordered Everton to pay £35million to Burnley after surviving at the Clarets’ expense in 2021/22.

Leeds finished 17th that season and later agreed an out-of-court settlement with Everton believed to be around two million pounds.

Burnley were relegated and the panel found Everton’s breach materially affected their survival chances. Everton said the ruling set a dangerous and unworkable precedent, prompting others to review historical breaches.

If Leeds’ claim reaches the Premier League’s independent commission, Leicester’s breach would need, on the balance of probabilities, to have impacted their promotion hopes. Leicester finished seven points ahead and lost both meetings that season.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk