Explained: Why Leicester were deducted points as appeal is dismissed

Leicester City will have no reprieve as they scrap for survival at the bottom of the Championship.

The Foxes were deducted six points in February for offences against the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) over a three-year period ending in 2024.

And their appeal against the points deduction has now been dismissed by an independent board.

Why Leicester were given points deduction and what it means

Leicester’s form has been dismal, and they find themselves 22nd in the Championship, in a battle with the likes of Oxford United and Portsmouth to avoid relegation to League One.

Such an outcome would be potentially disastrous for a club that won the Premier League title only a decade ago.

But how, exactly, have Leicester found themselves in this perilous position?

While Leicester were in the Premier League last season, the EFL were conducting an investigation of a breach of the EFL Profit and Sustainability Rules for the 2023/24 season, when the Foxes finished top of the Championship.

The club’s losses exceeded £200m over a three-year period, far more than the permitted maximum of £81m.

Leicester appealed the decision on the grounds of the power of the commission to recommend the points deduction, and the level of the sanction.

But their appeal was rejected and the six-point deduction will stand as the season approaches its end.

A statement on Leicester’s official website read: “With the matter now at an end and five games of the season remaining, everyone at the Club is fully focused on the matches in front of us and on shaping the outcome of our season through our results on the pitch.

“We know this has been a challenging period, and we thank our supporters for the backing they continue to give the team. The responsibility now is to ensure these remaining games are approached with the focus and intent our current situation demands.”

Leicester are looking to avoid relegation to the third tier for the first time since 2008.