Leicester City have launched legal proceedings against the Premier League and the English Football League after being dismayed by the action taken by the two organizations. Leicester faces the potential double blow of having points docked by both leagues due to alleged financial violations.
Leicester, who were relegated from the top flight last season, have been subjected to a transfer embargo by the EFL for allegedly exceeding the upper loss threshold in their profitability and sustainability calculations relating to the 2023-24 season.
Leicester says it questions “the right of the EFL to impose this restriction, which is both restrictive and premature”. The accounting period for 2023-24 ends on June 30. Unless the club generates millions through sales before then, it risks having EFL points deducted.
On Thursday the first division accused Leicester of breaching profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) during its final three years in the division. Top-flight clubs can lose a maximum of £105m over a three-year cycle. It is believed that any sanctions imposed in relation to this would come into effect next season and could be administered by the EFL if the club has not been promoted.
A statement from Leicester read: “LCFC have today been forced to commence two urgent legal proceedings against the Premier League and the EFL. LCFC will seek to have each of these procedures determined by an appropriate and fully independent legal panel.
“The club is committed to ensuring that any charges against it are determined appropriately and proportionately, in accordance with applicable rules, by the appropriate bodies and at the appropriate time.
“While LCFC would prefer the proceedings to be public, so that its supporters and the rest of the world can be informed about the important football governance issues that will be considered, the relevant rules require that these proceedings be carried out confidentially and Therefore, LCFC cannot comment further on them at this stage.
“We reaffirm the club's position that we will continue fighting for the right to city of leicester and all clubs to pursue their ambitions, particularly when these have been established reasonably and fairly through sustained sporting achievements.”