Leicester City ‘Set to Avoid’ Premier League Points Deduction Following PSR Ruling [Report]
Leicester City has won an appeal against a potential points deduction for an alleged violation of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.
The Foxes, who are currently battling to avoid relegation following their promotion from the Championship last season, face multiple challenges both on and off the field.
The Premier League expressed its disappointment and surprise at the independent panel’s decision, which concluded that the league did not have the authority to penalize Leicester City.
The key argument that allowed the club to avoid disciplinary action was their claim that they were not members of the Premier League for part of the period during which they were accused of breaching the PSR rules.
In March, the Premier League referred Leicester City to an independent commission for a suspected breach of PSR rules.
However, after a six-month wait, the club has now successfully overturned that decision and is unlikely to face a points deduction this season.
This is in contrast to Everton and Nottingham Forest, who lost similar appeals in the 2023/24 campaign.
According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, this outcome means Leicester “will escape any threat of points deductions.”
Leicester City’s Statement
In a statement on their website, Leicester City expressed their satisfaction with the appeal board’s decision, which they believe supports their stance that any action against the club should adhere to the relevant rules.
The statement reads: “Leicester City welcomes the appeal board’s comprehensive decision, which supports our consistently stated position that any action against the club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules.
“To avoid any misunderstandings which may arise in light of the statement issued by the Premier League in response to the appeal decision, Leicester City wishes to emphasize the finding of the appeal panel that, when considering the wording actually used in the Premier League rules (in accordance with established principles of English law), the club did not breach the Premier League PSRs for the assessment period ending 30 June 2023.
“In its decision, the Appeal Board (comprising a panel of three experienced, senior lawyers, two of whom are former Court of Appeal judges) identified flaws in the drafting of the Premier League’s rules.
“In challenging the Premier League’s attempts to charge Leicester City, the club has simply sought to ensure (in the interests of providing consistency and certainty for all clubs) that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written.”
Premier League’s Response
In contrast to Leicester City’s statement, the Premier League argued that their initial decision to punish the club was justified.
They stated: “The Premier League is very disappointed with the Appeal Board’s decision, and the limited reasons provided for it.
The League remains of the view that the original Commission took the right approach in interpreting the rules in a practical and workable way that gives effect to their intended purpose.
“In overturning the original Commission’s findings, the Premier League considers the Appeal Board’s decision fails to take into account the purpose of the rules, all relevant parts of the PSRs, and the need for effective enforcement of alleged breaches to ensure fairness among all clubs.
“If the Appeal Board is correct, its decision will have created a situation where any club exceeding the PSR threshold could avoid accountability in these specific circumstances. This is clearly not the intention of the rules.
“It is of critical importance that the Premier League is able to enforce its rules consistently to maintain the principle of fairness.
The League will now consider what further action it can take to ensure this is the case.”
The disagreement between Leicester City and the Premier League highlights ongoing tensions and differing interpretations of the rules governing financial sustainability in top-flight football.
