deduction

No one should be surprised that Leicester have appealed against their points deduction.

At no point have the Foxes admitted any wrongdoing, even with the evidence of their financial losses.

But this is a risky option as the appeal board can vary the penalty in any way. This includes increasing it, though that is believed to be unlikely.

Leicester’s position fluctuated over the course of the original hearing.

At one stage the club said a points deduction should be held back until they returned to the Premier League.

Then they shifted and claimed the independent commission did not have power to impose any sporting sanction. Then they said a fine should be levied… which should be zero.

Leicester are likely to again say that as a Championship club they cannot be punished for a Premier League rule break.

The Premier League, meanwhile, feels there was a mistake in failing to deduct one point for the late filing of accounts.

Leicester were found guilty on this count. But the independent commission chose not to apply any kind of penalty.

The Premier League disagrees and argues there is a principle at stake. If rules are broken there should be consequences.

If a club are allowed to file their accounts late and effectively get away without any sanction it offers no precedent or deterrent.

The Premier League has appealed on the basis that a sanction should be applied, in effect that one-point deduction.

The outcome of the two appeals could decide Leicester’s Championship status.