Leicester City have been hit with a six-point deduction for breaking spending rules, leaving them above the relegation zone in the Championship on goal difference alone.
The penalty – recommended by an independent commission – relates to the 2023-24 season, when Leicester were promoted to the Premier League but were deemed to have breached profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). It will apply with immediate effect.
Leicester were 17th in the Championship but now move down to 20th. Only Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Oxford United and doomed Sheffield Wednesday sit below them.
A Premier League statement read: ‘The Commission found that the club’s refusal to provide its annual accounts to the Premier League by the relevant deadline was a breach of Premier League Rules.
‘It also dismissed a claim by the club that it had demonstrated exceptional cooperation throughout the proceedings.
Leicester City now sit outside the Championship relegation zone only on goal difference
Leicester were 17th in the Championship but now move down to 20th in this updated table
‘Following agreement by the parties, and consistent with the relevant guidelines, the Commission agreed that the club’s improving financial position over the relevant assessment period was a mitigating factor.’
The blow is the latest in a series of setbacks for Leicester in recent years. The club’s owners, King Power, have been targeted by increasingly angry supporters for their stewardship of the Foxes.
A decade ago, Leicester lifted the Premier League title – one of the most memorable stories in the history of the English game.
It is hard for supporters to swallow that, as they approach the anniversary of that joyous day, their club could be heading into the third tier of English football.
Leicester recently sacked boss Marti Cifuentes, giving the reins to title winner Andy King while they look for a permanent replacement.
More to follow.