Leicester has taken urgent legal action against the Premier League and the English Football League, the club announced on Friday. This comes after the club was charged with breaking financial regulations.
The club, based in central England, is accused of violating the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules during its time in the top flight over the past three years, including the 2022-23 season, which was its last in the Premier League before being relegated to the Championship.
Leicester, currently second in the Championship with nine games left, also revealed that it has been placed under a transfer embargo by the EFL due to financial rule breaches.
“The club has been forced to commence two urgent legal actions against the Premier League and the EFL,” Leicester stated. “LCFC will request that these proceedings be handled by independent legal panels.”
The club emphasized its commitment to ensuring that any charges against it are fairly determined according to the rules and by the appropriate authorities and timing. It criticized the EFL’s transfer embargo as premature and restrictive, considering that a significant portion of the club’s financial reporting period for 2023-24 is remaining.
Leicester’s legal action follows similar penalties imposed on Everton and Nottingham Forest earlier this season for exceeding financial limits. Everton faced a deduction of 10 points (later reduced to six on appeal), while Forest was docked four points this week, resulting in their relegation from the Premier League.
Additionally, Everton is facing another case set to be heard before the season’s end.
Leicester expressed surprise and disappointment at the charges brought by the Premier League, vowing to defend the rights of all clubs to pursue their aspirations, particularly those earned through sustained sporting success.
