Leicester have won their appeal against a decision that could have led to a points deduction for an alleged breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
The Premier League said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the move to uphold the Foxes’ appeal. An independent appeal board found that Leicester’s accounting period – after it was claimed the club exceeded the permitted £105m threshold – ended on 30 June, 2023, after the club were relegated from the top flight.
The league added that the appeal board’s decision “effectively means that, despite the club being a member of the (Premier) League from seasons 2019/20 to 2022/23, the League cannot take action against the club for exceeding the relevant PSR threshold in respect of the associated accounting periods”.
Leicester welcomed the decision, adding that the verdict “supports our consistently stated position that any action against the club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules”.
In a statement on their official website, the club said: “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 which has been issued by the Premier League in response to the appeal decision, Leicester City wishes to emphasise the finding of the appeal panel that, when considering the wording which is 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 (which was made of up a panel of three experienced, senior lawyers, two of whom are former Court of Appeal judges) identifies 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.”
The Premier League responded with its own statement, outlining its disappointment.
“The Premier League is surprised and disappointed by the independent appeal board’s decision to uphold an appeal lodged by Leicester City FC regarding the League’s jurisdiction over the club’s alleged breach of its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) when the club was a member of the Premier League.
“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.”
More to follow