The newest Leeds United news comes as the Premier League stated on Thursday that Leicester City has been charged with a breach of financial regulations ahead of their last nine Championship games.
Leeds United will be keeping a close eye on the Leicester City situation this week, as another major change occurs ahead of the Championship season’s last nine games.
The Premier League revealed on Thursday evening that Leicester had violated Profitability and Sustainability guidelines (PSRs) as well as failing to submit their financial reports to the league.
The club issued a forceful statement in response to the claims, expressing ‘surprise’ and vowing to “defend itself from any unlawful acts by the football authorities.” The case has now been sent to an impartial committee, which will issue a verdict
The charges against Leicester cover the three-year period concluding with the 2022/23 season, during which both they and Leeds were demoted to the Championship. This is where Nottingham Forest and Everton’s charges differ.
With both clubs in the Premier League, any point deduction will be imposed this season. Forest learned of their four-point penalty earlier this week, and any additional points reduction for Everton will be confirmed before the end of the season.
Leicester is currently in the Championship, which complicates issues. It means that if the Foxes are found guilty and get a points deduction, it will most likely be enforced at the start of the next season if they are promoted to the Premier League.
While this will not aid Leeds in their quest for promotion this season, it may benefit the Whites in the long run if both teams make it to Premier League. Even before a ball is kicked, any point deduction for Leicester would put them at a disadvantage in the quest for survival.
According to reports, Leicester may have to sell players in the summer to meet the next evaluation period’s limits. If that’s the case, survival will be even more challenging.
But, returning to the current season, the news comes ahead of the club’s vital final nine games.
Leeds have already erased Enzo Maresca’s 17-point lead. It remains to be seen whether the off-field upset will affect players’ on-field performances.
Leicester return to action for the first time since the charges on Good Friday when they face Bristol City at Ashton Gate (12.30pm kick-off), which will be the first sign of any distractions to the squad.
It may, of course, have the reverse effect, bringing the club closer together and galvanising them for the season’s remaining games. If this is the case, Leeds will need to keep an eye out for it as the season comes to a close.
