Leicester City's bid to overturn a six-point deduction has been rejected, leaving the Championship club in a precarious position with just five matches remaining in the season.
The Foxes were penalized in February for breaching English Football League financial regulations, a decision that has now been upheld following an unsuccessful appeal. The sanction has plunged the team into the relegation zone, where they currently sit one point from safety.
"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," the club stated.
The financial breach stems from Leicester's overspending during the 2023-24 season while competing in the Championship. An independent commission determined the club exceeded the EFL's £83 million loss limit by £20.8 million over a 36-month assessment period.
Leicester had argued for a different timeframe calculation and described the original punishment as "disproportionate" when it was first imposed. The club's appeal was filed just days after appointing Gary Rowett as interim head coach through the season's end.
Since receiving the points deduction, Leicester's form has deteriorated significantly, managing just one victory in their last twelve matches across all competitions. The failed appeal compounds their challenges as they fight to avoid consecutive relegations following last year's drop from the Premier League.