Leicester learn points deduction appeal fate with huge ramifications in survival fight

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Leicester City have lost their appeal against the six-point deduction which was imposed upon them back in February for breaching financial rules.

The Foxes were first charged by the Premier League last year relating to a breach of the league's Profit and Sustainability rules in the 2023-24 campaign, when they were a Championship club. An independent commission decided on the penalty earlier this year , with Leicester falling from 17th to 20th in the table after losing six points.

Leicester have since slipped into the relegation zone and are currently a point from safety with five games remaining, with Portsmouth, the team directly above them, having played one game fewer than Gary Rowett's men.

After previously describing the punishment as "disproportionate", the club launched an appeal - but it emerged on Wednesday that it had been unsuccessful.

"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," Leicester said in a statement.

"We know this has been a challenging period, and we thank our supporters for the backing they continue to give the team.

"The responsibility now is to ensure these remaining games are approached with the focus and intent our current situation demands."

Leicester missed a golden opportunity to escape the relegation zone on Monday, when they failed to beat bottom club Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

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The Foxes were held to a 1-1 draw by the already-relegated club and Rowett couldn't hide his frustration after the game, telling BBC Radio Leicester: "We knew it was a game that we had to win. Other results mean we are in no different a position in some ways but it's not about that, it's about taking your opportunities.

"We have had three games now where overall we have created lots and lots of chances, lots and lots of efforts at goal, had lots and lots of the ball.

"I don't think we have necessarily had games where structurally, tactically, we have had problems. It's just been we need the quality in those final moments. We keep inviting teams to have a lead then basically sit in on that lead. It means you have got to show that extra quality to open it up.

"It's quite ridiculous [to concede early]. That's what we warned against. That means we have got to score two goals, the problem is we haven't done that many times this season."

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