Leicester City could be docked points or fined after being referred to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach of financial rules (Image: PA)
Leicester City could be docked points or fined after being referred to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach of financial rules (Image: PA)
One of the teams who look set to be Ipswich Town's biggest Championship rivals next season face a points deduction or fine over an alleged breach of financial rules.
Relegated Leicester City, who beat the Blues 2-0 in the Midlands on Sunday to leapfrog Kieran McKenna's men into 18th spot, have been referred to an independent commission by the Premier League.
It is alleged that the Foxes breached EFL financial rules during the 2023/24 Championship season - the campaign they won the league ahead of Town.
According to the BBC, the Foxes could be hit with either a points deduction or fine - but it's not clear when or how that might happen.
A tribunal upheld a decision that the Premier League could not punish the Foxes for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) rules for the 2022-23 season as the club had been relegated from the top flight at the end of that campaign.
But it also ruled that the Premier League does have jurisdiction to investigate the club for breaching EFL rules in 2023-24.
The alleged breach relates to the 2023/24 season - when Leicester City won the Championship ahead of Ipswich Town
The alleged breach relates to the 2023/24 season - when Leicester City won the Championship ahead of Ipswich Town
(Image: PA) In a statement, the Premier League said: "The alleged breach relates to the assessment period concluding at the end of the 2023-24 season, when the club was a member of the EFL Championship.
"The tribunal confirmed that the Premier League has the power to investigate an alleged breach of the P&S Rules [PSR] because the EFL validly transferred responsibility for its investigation to the Premier League in June 2024, when the club was promoted from the Championship.
"The Premier League continues to have jurisdiction even though Leicester City will be relegated to the Championship at the end of this season."
The Foxes have also released a statement. It said: "The club intends to engage cooperatively in this matter now that the Premier League’s jurisdiction has been established for the period ending FY24.
"However, we will not be able to comment further on these proceedings until they are concluded, due to their confidential nature."