How Leicester City avoided 20-point deduction as ‘very weird’ situation analysed – ‘only one person really understands it’
Leicester City could have landed a 20-point deduction if the Premier League had its way following the club’s profit and sustainability (PSR) saga.
That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who exclusively told Football Insider the Foxes were fortunate to see their penalty reduced.
Leicester were charged last May with an alleged breach of the EFL’s financial rules in their promotion-winning campaign back to the Premier League in 2023-24.
Following a hearing in November, it was announced on 5 February the East Midlands side have been deducted six points.
The penalty was applied immediately, leaving them now sitting 21st in the Championship table and only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Why was Leicester’s points deduction reduced?
The Premier League’s PSR rules allow clubs to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period, but Leicester’s figure was reduced by £22m for spending the 2023-24 season in the Championship.
The commission ruled the Foxes had spent £20.8m over their £83m limit between 2021-22 and 2023-24.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness talked about how it’s turned into a “very weird” situation for Leicester.
“Wow, it’s such a complex one this, and you’re getting into legal minefields now with precedents already starting to be established from the other situations,” said Wyness.
“Luckily for Leicester, it was the EFL and they cut it back from 12 to six points is my understanding. Now, the Premier League had looked even at 20 points at one stage.
“It’s just a very weird, complex situation and it seems only Nick De Marco, the lawyer, seems to be the only one that really understands it.”
How Leicester found themselves in ‘very unique’ PSR situation
Wyness insisted it’s a “very unique” situation for Leicester because the case involved both the EFL and the Premier League.
“Very few of us seem to really get to where they are because precedents seem to dictate certain things happening because it’s happened to other clubs in the past and yet each situation seems to be quite unique,” said Wyness.
“This one was unique because it did involve both leagues, the Premier League and the EFL, and that was the loophole that Leicester managed to sort of uncover. I think to get away with six points, they should be really happy.
“Of course, they’ve come out saying no, they think it’s disproportionate, they think it’s unfair and they’re going to appeal.”
In terms of other similar cases, Everton were previously docked a total of eight points after being charged with two separate spending breaches, while Nottingham Forest landed a four-point deduction.
For more Leicester City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.