Portsmouth’s relegation rivals Leicester City learn points deduction fate as survival fight takes fresh twist
Pompey sit one point above 22nd-placed Leicester City as the race for survival intensifies in the remaining weeks of the campaign.
Pompey’s relegation rivals Leicester City have lost their appeal over their six point deduction this season.
The EFL’s investigation into their P&S Rules breach was then transferred to the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship.
Having also been accused of failing to file accounts with the Premier League before the deadline and for not providing full, complete and prompt assistance to the Premier League, Leicester were taken to an independent commission last year.
After a hearing in November, the Foxes were found to have broken those rules and were subsequently hit with a six-point deduction.
Pompey relegation rivals lose appeal over points deduction
Pompey’s relegation rivals swiftly appealed the decision, but have been unsuccessful in their bid to remove the penalty following a review by an independent Appeals Board.
This means Gary Rowett’s side remain 22nd in the Championship standings on 41 points but sit one point away from the Blues and safety.
A statement from Leicester City read: ‘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.
‘The decision relates to our profit and sustainability position for the three-year period to June 2024 and is accepted by the Club.
‘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 and on shaping the outcome of our season through our results on the pitch.
‘We know this has been a challenging period, and we thank our supporters for the backing they continue to give the team.
‘The responsibility now is to ensure these remaining games are approached with the focus and intent our current situation demands.’
Premier League release statement of Leicester City’s points deduction
Although Leicester appealed their six-point deduction, the Premier League were also looking to appeal the verdict.
The Premier League were looking to impose a further one-point sanction after the Foxes failed to file their accounts on time.
While the commission agreed the King Power Stadium outfit did breach that rule, no further punishment was imposed. Indeed, the Appeals Board have sided with the original decision, meaning no further penalties will be applied.
A statement from the Premier League said: An independent Commission’s decision to recommend a six-point deduction on Leicester City Football Club this season has been upheld by an independent Appeal Board.
‘The club were found by the Commission to have breached the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (P&S Rules) for the period ending Season 2023/24. The club appealed that decision on a number of grounds, including the power of the Commission to recommend the points deduction, as well as the level of sanction. These were dismissed by the Appeal Board.
‘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.’
Leicester make the trip to the south coast next week in a huge survival showdown against Pompey, with the fixture expected to have massive implications at the foot of the Championship standings.