Leicester City look set to be charged for breaching Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules during the 2023/24 season.
The Foxes could also receive a further charge for this season and will have to raise funds before the end of June to stay in line with the PSR regulations.
Their off-the-field concerns coincide with a loss of form on the pitch, which has seen Leicester drop points in four out of their last five games.
Enzo Maresca‘s side remain at the summit of the Championship table but lie just three points clear of Leeds United, who have the wind in their sails.
It appears City will need to gain promotion to stay clear of further sanctioning by the authoritative bodies but finance expert Kieran Maguire has noted that they’d still remain in trouble, regardless.
Kieran Maguire on Leicester City’s FFP case
With just nine games of the Championship campaign remaining, City appear well-placed to make an instant return to the top flight.
Though, that wouldn’t be the end of their concerns, as Maguire noted that Premier League chiefs would be keen to assess the football club’s accounts.
Speaking on the Price of Football podcast, he said: “They’re not out of the woods by a long chalk because should they return to the Premier League, the Premier League will say on the 1st of July, ‘nice to have you back Leicester, fancy popping into the office? We need to have a chat about your losses’.
“And therefore the club could be put up before a commission and could be given a points deduction before the 24/25 season starts.
“We have said ideally points deduction should be sorted as early in the season as possible”
So it appears City, providing they go up, may have to sit before a commission in what could be a long-drawn-out process, similar to the case of Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Focus has to be on the now for Leicester City
Maresca has to keep a lid on the external noise and not allow his players to become distracted by the FFP case.
Gaining promotion this season seems imperative and could help to ease their financial concerns, so heading into the final stretch, Leicester must return to form.
Just one win in their last five league games simply isn’t good enough to get out of this division with the chasing pack as good as they are.
The Foxes make the trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend to face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup before a visit to Bristol City at the end of the month following the international break.