Leeds open legal proceedings against Leicester City — Political Economy of Football 17/7/26

-

Increasingly the most important people in any football club are not the accountants, but the lawyers.  A career as a sports lawyer offers good prospects and is more interesting than many branches of the legal profession.

Leeds United have opened legal proceedings and served a statement of claim against Leicester City after being denied automatic promotion in 2023-24, when the latter broke financial rules.   This follows Burnley’s recent successful action against Everton.

A statement of claim sets out why the claimant is taking action against a respondent. In this case, Leeds have included specific losses, but also requested an assessment of damages as a result of Leicester’s PSR breach. As it stands, the hearing is not set to take place until next summer.   It is always possible that it will be settled out of court.

Last month, it was revealed Everton had been ordered to pay Burnley £35m in compensation and interest. In 2021-22, the Lancashire club were relegated and have since successfully argued they would have stayed up if Everton had been sanctioned with a points deduction for their PSR breach.

Everton finished four points above Burnley to retain their Premier League status and ultimately received a six-point deduction for the 2021-22 breach in 2023-24. As a result of their relegation, Burnley missed out on significant income which rewards playing in the top flight. This includes the Premier League TV deal and commercial opportunities.

That case, while it does not set a binding precedent, has set a framework for other clubs in similar situations to follow. Leeds may argue they would have been automatically promoted in 2023-24 if Leicester had adhered to PSR rules.

Popular posts from this blog

Leeds United reveal three-man shortlist as they eye major striker signing — trio have a combined 19 Premier League career goals — Leeds Press 3/5/25

-
Image
by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United are playing in the Premier League next season. But with the transfer window coming up, there are still some questions about the squad that need to be answered. Starting striker Joel Piroe has been first choice over the last two seasons. And he has delivered, scoring over 35 goals. But in recent weeks, Leeds’ rumoured moves show that there may be doubt over his ability heading into the Premier League. Over the last month, the club have been linked with George Hirst, and more recently Celtic star Daizen Maeda. Wrexham are also said to be very interested in signing Patrick Bamford this summer, so Leeds will definitely sign a new striker. TEAMtalk are reporting that Leeds United have drawn up a shortlist of strikers for the summer. It includes two current Premier League players, and a former Tottenham star. But surprisingly, the trio have just 19 career goals in the competition. Whichever of them the club decides to sign will have a big say in survivin...
Read more

Leeds United agree shock £20m transfer as 49ers refuse to gamble on move — Leeds Live 28/6/26

-
Leeds United are seemingly on the verge of agreeing a deal that would see a key member of their squad leave Elland Road this summer Mark Wakefield Sport Central Audience Writer Leeds United are reportedly close to confirming the departure of defender Pascal Struijk with a deal agreed with Premier League rivals Brighton. United are gearing up for another busy summer of transfer business as they look ahead to the new campaign, which gets underway in August. Daniel Farke and Co. will already have an eye on their plans for the summer transfer window, but Leeds now look set to lose one of their key players. The Athletic have reported that Leeds have reached a verbal agreement with Brighton that would see Struijk swap Elland Road for the Amex Stadium. It has been reported that United have agreed a fee worth £20million for Struijk to leave Leeds this summer and join Brighton, who will be competing in the UEFA Conference League next season. The report goes on to claim that, with ...
Read more