Leicester City have formally appealed the six-point deduction imposed by an independent commission for breaching EFL Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), while the Premier League has also lodged its own appeal, creating a rare situation in which both sides contest the same ruling.
The deduction, announced on February 5, 2026, saw Leicester drop from 17th to 20th in the Championship, and they now sit 22nd, inside the relegation zone, just two points from safety. The Foxes have also been winless in their last seven matches across all competitions.
The commission found that Leicester exceeded the permitted loss threshold by £20.8 million over the three-year assessment period ending in 2024, during their 2023–24 Championship promotion-winning season under manager Enzo Maresca.
Although a maximum points penalty under PSR rules could have reached 12 points, with aggravated circumstances potentially taking it beyond 20 points, the independent panel settled on six points, citing the club’s improving financial position.
At the time of the original sanction, Leicester stated that the deduction was “disproportionate” and “does not adequately reflect the mitigating factors presented, the importance of which cannot be overstated given the potential impact on our sporting ambitions this season.”
In addition to overspending, the club failed to submit audited annual accounts by the required December 31, 2024 deadline. The commission did not apply a points deduction for this breach, a decision now under scrutiny by the Premier League.
Leicester’s appeal argues that the sanction is too harsh and may also contend that the EFL lacks the jurisdiction to take points from Leicester on the Premier League’s behalf, as the rules were rewritten after the period for which the club were charged.
The Premier League has confirmed its own appeal, stating:
“Leicester City Football Club has appealed the decision of an independent commission to impose a six-point deduction on the club, after it found them to be in breach of the EFL Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The Premier League has lodged its own appeal, limited to the commission’s decision not to impose a sanction on the club for its breach of the League’s rules regarding the late submission of its annual accounts.
The parties submitted their appeals to the chair of the judicial panel today, who will now appoint an appeal board to hear the case.
To provide certainty for all clubs and fans, the Premier League will be seeking to have the appeals resolved urgently, and in any event before the end of the EFL season.”
Leicester are appealing to reduce or overturn the six-point deduction, while the Premier League believes the sanction is not strong enough and is pushing for an additional one-point penalty for the late accounts submission.
Commission files reportedly show the league originally wanted a starting point of 12 points, with aggravated circumstances potentially pushing the sanction beyond 20 points.
The deduction has left Leicester in a precarious position in the Championship. Without the six-point penalty, they would be 19th, still above the relegation zone but still vulnerable.
Should the Premier League succeed in adding a point, they would fall to 23rd, below Oxford United, making their survival task even more difficult.
The deduction has also had a psychological impact on the squad.
In their last home match, Leicester surrendered a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 against Southampton, underlining the challenge facing new manager Gary Rowett, who was appointed on Wednesday to guide the team until the end of the season following the January sacking of Marti Cifuentes.
Rowett brings extensive Championship experience, having previously stabilised Oxford United, Birmingham City, Millwall, and Derby County, and he will be working with a squad that includes Premier League-quality players such as winger Abdul Fatawu, giving him the tools to attempt to steer the Foxes away from relegation.
Leicester previously avoided a points deduction for alleged PSR breaches in the 2022–23 season after winning their appeal, as the commission had been found not to have jurisdiction because the accounting period ended shortly after the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The current sanction, by contrast, relates to the 2023–24 promotion-winning season, and reflects overspending that occurred during a period when the club would have expected significant Premier League revenue had they retained top-flight status.
Both Leicester’s and the Premier League’s appeals have now been submitted to the chair of the judicial panel, who will appoint an appeal board to hear the case.
A final decision is expected before the end of the Championship season, and the outcome will directly influence Leicester’s fight to avoid back-to-back relegations.
Depending on the ruling, points could be restored or reduced, the six-point deduction could stand, or an additional point could be applied, significantly altering the club’s position in the table.
Until the appeal is resolved, Leicester face the challenge of balancing off-field legal battles with on-field performance.
Rowett’s experience and the quality of the squad will be critical as the club navigates the final months of the season, knowing that the appeal outcome could be as decisive for their survival as the results on the pitch.
