Leicester City have lost their appeal against a six-point deduction imposed by an independent commission for breaching the English Football League's financial rules. The sanction, handed down in February, initially dropped the club from 17th to 20th in the Championship, but they have since fallen to 22nd, one point adrift of safety with five matches remaining.
Under manager Gary Rowett, Leicester now face the prospect of relegation to League One just a decade after winning the Premier League. The club confirmed the appeal board's decision, bringing the matter to a close.
"We acknowledge that an independent commission's decision to recommend a six-point deduction on the club this season has been upheld by an independent appeal board," read a Leicester statement. "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."
The club were initially charged by the Premier League in May 2025 for profitability and sustainability breaches related to the 2023-24 season when they were in the Championship. The Premier League released a statement confirming the dismissal of Leicester's appeal on several grounds, including the commission's power to recommend the deduction and the level of sanction.
"The appeal board also dismissed a challenge by the Premier League, which was limited to the commission's decision not to increase the sanction on the club as a result of its breach of the League's rules regarding the late submission of its annual accounts," the Premier League statement added.
