Leicester face ALMOST CERTAIN points deduction as PSR challenge is thrown out by Premier League

LEICESTER are facing an almost certain points deduction next season - before kicking a ball on their return to the Premier League

The promoted Foxes had argued that Prem bosses had no right to charge them for a 2022-23 Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach BECAUSE they were relegated to the Championship.

But after an independent commission found in favour of the Prem, Leicester could be deducted 10 points or MORE within weeks of the new campaign beginning unless an appeal by the club succeeds.

And that could effectively consign them to the verge of the drop before new boss Steve Cooper has properly got to know his players.

Leicester were charged with a PSR breach in March and also with “failing to submit their audited financial accounts to the League.”

Clubs are only permitted to make “allowable losses” - after a complicated calculation - of £105m over three years, with Leicester’s published financial figures showing they were substantially over the limit, although the precise scale of the breach is unclear.

The Foxes had previously won a legal case against the EFL, successfully arguing it did not have the authority to impose spending cuts this season because they were a Prem side at the time of the alleged offences.

When the Prem charges were announced, Leicester confirmed their intention to fight the League’s right to attempt to sanction them, branding the proposed action “unlawful”.

At a hearing last month, Leicester argued that the rules could not apply to a club that was no longer in the Premier League and that the alleged breach was only committed after relegation.

But Prem lawyers successfully suggested that unless the breach was dealt with under its processes Leicester would get away with their actions as no League would have jurisdiction over them.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS