Leicester ‘lucky’ to avoid larger points deduction after taking ‘big risk’ in Premier League dispute
Leicester City are “lucky” to have avoided a larger penalty after appealing against their six-point deduction.
That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who exclusively told Football Insider the Championship club took a “big risk” in challenging the independent panel’s ruling.
Leicester were deducted six points in February for breaching the EFL’s financial rules in their promotion-winning campaign back to the Premier League in 2023-24.
The East Midlands side appealed against the decision, claiming the penalty was “disproportionate”.
However, Leicester have lost their appeal after it was confirmed on Wednesday (8 April) the six-point deduction has been upheld by an independent appeal board.
Why Leicester could have been deducted more points
Leicester could have been deducted more points after the Premier League challenged the commission’s decision not to increase the sanction following the late submission of the club’s annual accounts.
However, the league’s appeal was also dismissed, ensuring no further points will be taken from Gary Rowett’s side.
| Club | Sanction |
| Everton | -6 points |
| Everton | -2 points |
| Nottingham Forest | -4 points |
| Leicester City | -6 points |
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Wyness discussed the decision to reject Leicester’s appeal for their points deduction to be reduced.
“The appeal was always likely to fail,” said Wyness.
“They took a big risk in the fact it could actually have been increased. I think they have got away with it.
“The right decision has been come to and on we go, but they are obviously in big jeopardy.”
How Leicester case has set new ‘precedent’
Wyness insisted Leicester have been fortunate to only be deducted six points following their issues complying with the spending rules in recent years.
“There is no doubt when it came out at six points I thought it was certainly on the lenient side,” said Wyness.
“I was amazed they appealed because I thought they should just run away and take it.
“Now we’re getting more and more of these cases having gone through tribunals, we’re getting precedents set, and they’re starting to run into conflicts with each precedent.
“But in my opinion, Leicester have been lucky with this case.”
Leicester’s points deduction has left them fighting to remain in the Championship as they currently sit 22nd in the table, one point behind Portsmouth, who have a game in hand.
Rowett’s side are now preparing to take on Swansea City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday (11 April).
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