Leicester City will maintain their six-point deduction after an appeal by both the club and the Premier League was rejected by an independent panel.
This sanction was initially imposed in February due to Leicester’s violation of the English Football League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
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The violation pertained to the three-year financial period concluding with the 2023/24 season.
A statement from the Premier League confirmed that the appeal board upheld Leicester’s punishment.
Additionally, the board dismissed a separate appeal from the Premier League, which sought to impose a stricter penalty.
Consequently, Leicester’s six-point deduction remains effective, placing them 22nd in the Championship standings.
With five matches left in the season, the team is just one point away from safety.
The Premier League’s statement indicated that Leicester’s appeal was based on multiple arguments.
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These included questioning the commission’s authority to enforce a points deduction and disputing the severity of the sanction.
The Premier League had also challenged the original decision, arguing for a greater penalty due to Leicester’s late submission of their annual accounts.
However, the appeal board determined that this issue was already accounted for when the original sanction was issued.
Financial records indicated that Leicester exceeded the allowable PSR threshold by £20.8 million during the relevant three-year evaluation period.
Initially, the Premier League had sought a 12-point deduction, while Leicester maintained that a financial fine would have been a more suitable punishment.
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In response to the appeal outcome, Leicester released a statement.
“We recognize that an independent commission’s decision to recommend a six-point deduction has been upheld by an independent appeals board,” the club stated.
“Now that this matter is settled and with five games remaining, we are fully focused on the upcoming matches.”
Leicester also expressed gratitude to their supporters for their loyalty during this challenging time.
The club reiterated that their primary goal is to secure enough points to remain in the Championship.
Their remaining fixtures include matches against Swansea City, Portsmouth, Hull City, Millwall, and Blackburn Rovers.
Leicester’s destiny in the division will now be determined on the pitch in the final weeks of the season.