Leicester City

Leicester City have been charged by the Premier League with allegedly breaking spending rules during their past three seasons in the top flight.

The Foxes have been referred to an independent commission for breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and failing to submit audited finances.

If found guilty, the Championship side could face a points deduction that might spill into next season, regardless of whether they are promoted.

Let us know how you feel about the situation

Image source, Getty Images

What do the charges against Leicester City by the Premier League mean for the club?

The Foxes have been charged with allegedly breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and failing to submit audited finances during their last three seasons in the top flight.

So, should Leicester get promoted this season, will they start next season on minus points?

"If the charges are proven, then I think there's a very high chance of that," said football finance expert Kieran Maguire on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling Podcast.

"That is assuming that they have gone over the limit. We have seen in respect of Nottingham Forest that the ruling appears to be that you will get a three-point deduction for breaching the rules and then there is the sliding scale of how much extra you have gone over the limit."

Enzo Maresca's side are second in the Championship but have a game in hand on current leaders Leeds United.

The Foxes are also subject to a separate financial probe by the English Football League (EFL), should they not gain promotion this season.

"They will then be assessed, once again, by the EFL for the three years until the end of 2024, and they could be up against the EFL charge which is similar," added Maguire.

"Or the Premier League could try and impose some kind of financial sanction penalty, which we did see against Bournemouth, Leicester and Fulham previously."

Listen to the full discussion on the When You're Smiling Podcast

Image source, PA Media

Leicester's referral to an independent commission for alleged PSR breaches has clearly frustrated the club but there is a lot for them to consider.

The Foxes have underlined their commitment to co-operating in the process, something which benefited Nottingham Forest who had their penalty reduced by two points.

Leicester are second in the Championship and any penalty this season would have huge ramifications in the promotion race.

But there are just over six weeks until the end of the Championship campaign and, given any appeal would also need to be factored in, it is hard to see this situation being wrapped up by then.

The Premier League wants to move forward but it is out of their hands now Leicester have been referred to the independent commission.

As the Foxes were relegated last season, before the introduction of the top flight's new 'standard directions', the 12-week time frame - something used in Nottingham Forest's case - does not apply.

The directions are designed to ensure any charges are dealt with swiftly and any punishment is applied in the same season.

Instead, Leicester's case could follow a similar timescale to Everton's first charge before the new rules - although all parties would want a swifter resolution.

Everton were initially referred to a commission last March with their case eventually concluding in November when the Toffees were hit with an initial 10-point deduction, reduced to six on appeal.

Depending on what, if any, potential punishment is handed down - and this is still an alleged breach - the Foxes could start next season's Premier League season on minus points if they are promoted.

BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling has immediate reaction after Leicester City were charged by the Premier League on Thursday for allegedly breaching finance rules.

Commentator Owynn Palmer-Atkin is joined by former boss Ian Barraclough and club fan Jamie to discuss.

Listen on BBC Sounds

The big question has been: if - IF - we get promoted, how would we do in the Premier League?

Enzo Maresca said not to judge his team by our performances against top -flight teams. Right, like that was never going to happen.

So we have played three Premier League teams this season and, in my humble opinion, I don’t think we have disgraced ourselves at all.

An away trip to Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup resulted in a 3-1 reverse.

Leicester City actually took the lead after three minutes, but after Cody Gakpo levelled, it took a wonder strike and an in-off-the-post effort to see us off - but then no team apart from Liverpool has won at Anfield this season.

We visited Bournemouth in the FA Cup, seeing them off 1-0 to set up Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea. Yes, we lost 4-2, but away at a club whose squad cost £700m more than ours, we gave it a good go, outplaying them at times.

Liverpool and Chelsea away, would you expect anything in the league anyway? So with a summer transfer window ahead, if we do go up I am quietly confident.

Chris Forryan can be found at Leicester Till I Die, external

Former Leicester winger Matt Piper on Leeds overtaking the Foxes at the top of the Championship table: " I think the [international] break comes at a really good time for Leicester, especially after a good performance against a Premier League juggernaut in Chelsea. We didn't win the game, but some of the confidence they will take into this break is going to be really powerful for the last nine games.

"Hopefully they can get a few days off here and there, recharge the batteries and get ready for the final nine games.

"What are we known as at this football club? The underdogs. I do think we're better at chasing instead of trying to have that mental pressure of staying at the top of the table. You might see us now win the last nine games and break Reading's record.

"A lot of these players came down form the Premier League and aren't used to this schedule. They've had to get used to all that as well as a new philosophy. To be where we are at this stage of the season is tremendous."

Listen to the full episode here

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Marc Albrighton has been discussing his "special 10 years" at Leicester City and the possibility of signing a new contract on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

The 34-year-old joined the club from Aston Villa in May 2014, following the Foxes' return to the Premier League for the first time in a decade.

Over the past nine years, Albrighton has written history. His achievements have included pulling Leicester City through 'The Great Escape', becoming a Premier League champion, scoring the club's first Champions League goal, and winning the FA Cup and Community Shield.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin about his time at the club, Albrighton revealed: "I'm not sure what next season brings and what the end of this season brings.

"But, whatever happens, I've absolutely loved my time here. It's been such a special 10 years in my life. It's been a massive part of my life, and one that I will forever look back on with fond memories.

"There's obviously been ups and downs. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster at times. The people I've met - the staff at the training ground and the stadium, the fans and the players I've met along the way.

"In terms of the new training ground, and the old training ground, it's been absolutely incredible to see how far this club has come. It will always have a special place in my heart."

Albrighton was also asked whether he would like to stay at the club, with his current contract set to expire in June 2024: "Of course. I love this club, absolutely. I've just got to see what's best for all parties - whether that be for myself, for the club or for the manager.

"I don't know what the future holds. There's been no conversations at all. Anything is possible, who knows? It's something to look forward to.

"If this is to be my last season, then I'm desperate for it to end with a little bit of silverware."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Former Leicester winger Matt Piper says the Foxes should take "real confidence" from their performance in Sunday's 4-2 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea, despite the end result.

Enzo Maresca's side showed great character to come back from 2-0 down at half time to level the match, before being reduced to 10 men and finally having their resistance broken by two late goals.

"It's a really difficult place to come regardless of whether they're in-form or not," Piper told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

"They're a powerhouse of the Premier League, have got a good manager and £500m worth of players out on the pitch this afternoon. Anytime you come here, you are up against it.

"Leicester played well in the first half - maybe they didn't look sharp enough at either end of the pitch but the build-up play and the way they dominated the ball at times was impressive.

"Then, in the second half they took it to a different level. I think we saw some front-footed aggressive football that at times Chelsea struggled to live with.

"I thought there were some monster performances out there from some of our players. The crowd almost all stayed behind to show their thanks for a spirited performance.

"In the end, I think it was the red card that made the difference, and there were some tired bodies out there - but they should take real confidence from this performance."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts on Sunday's dramatic FA Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Leicester City.

Here are some of your responses:

Chelsea fans

Colin: A usual Chelsea performance, showing a lack of experience again. Our attackers look good, but Sterling has absolutely no confidence and needs a break. Disasi needs to learn how to pass. Sanchez is a clear second-choice keeper. At least it's entertaining, unlike Tuchel's team.

Diane: Where do I start! The game had everything, which added to the tension for us. Why, oh why, did Sterling take the penalty and then miss a goal? He should've been substituted sooner but luckily the substitutions did the trick in the end. Gusto definitely deserved man of the match. It depends on who our next opponents are as to whether we progress.

Kev: I've seen every game this season but I am baffled as to why Pochettino picked Sanchez in such a vital game when Petrovic has been so safe. What exactly has Sterling done to justify selection? He goes off, play quickens and both substitutes score! Enough said.

PF: We always do it the hard way, never the easy way. Moments of magic, mixed with vulnerability, made for a good cup game. Anyone wondering why Sterling doesn't make the England squad needs to watch that game.

Leicester fans

Ben: A decent performance. The red card killed us but it shows that we can compete in the Premier League, although we did get away with some poor finishing from them. On to the Championship now. I don't mind about the FA Cup, it's all about promotion back to the Premier League.

Vincent: Leicester put up a good show, but the FA Cup was never a priority before the game anyway. We need to be 100% focused on the Championship, with Leeds going top of the table, and take it to the opposition every game until the last day of the season now.

Rob: What was the point of leaving Daka on the pitch? We were down to 10 men and he had done nothing all game, apart from his usual misses. There was no way we were going to survive the last eight minutes and extra-time. Why try and defend? Go for it and go out fighting.

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from the weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals.

If you missed any of the action, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to the weekend's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full:

Wolves v Coventry

Man City v Newcastle

Chelsea v Leicester

Brighton maintain an interest in Leicester City's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after failing with a January bid for the English midfielder, 25. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has been speaking to BBC One following the dramatic FA Cup quarter-final: "We don't like to lose games, but the effort and performance was very good. We scored twice but then the red card completely changed the dynamic.

"Overall, the team was playing good. We didn't lose our identity. You have to defend very deep. That is something I don't like because you suffer too much.

"But then it is probably best to not have extra-time and injuries, because for us the main target is the Championship [promotion].

"Unfortunately, we have many players who will leave for the international break but we are going to use that [time] to recharge, because in the Championship there are too many games.

"In this season, you probably need 100 points to get promoted. There is no league in the world where you need around 100 points to get promoted. It is what it is and we need to adapt."

Here are the key facts and figures following Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Leicester City.

• This is the sixth time in the last eight seasons that Chelsea have reached at least the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Meanwhile, they have scored at least three goals in four different games in a single FA Cup campaign for the first time since 2006-07 (also four games).

• Each of Leicester’s last three defeats against Premier League opponents in the FA Cup have been against Chelsea, also coming in March 2018 and June 2020.

• Cole Palmer has netted 14 goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season, the most by a player in their first season for the Blues since Alvaro Morata in 2017-18 (15 goals).

• Excluding shootouts, Raheem Sterling has failed to score five of his last seven penalties across his time with Manchester City and Chelsea, including each of his last two attempts.

• Only Jamie Vardy (15) has scored more goals for Leicester in all competitions this season than Stephy Mavididi (11). In addition, all nine of the Foxes’ goals in the FA Cup this season have come from different players (Casadei, Pereira, Cannon, Vardy, Akgun, Praet, Fatawu, an own goal and Mavididi).

Chelsea scored twice in stoppage time to survive a major scare against Leicester City and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

Substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke snatched victory for the Blues at the end of a dramatic second half in which the home fans threatened to turn on manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The hosts led comfortably at 2-0 until Axel Disasi scored a comedy own goal from 35 yards out to breathe life into the tie in the 51st minute.

Stephy Mavididi curled in a superb equaliser 11 minutes later after which a fractious Stamford Bridge voiced its unrest with loud boos and chants of "you don't know what you're doing".

But a red card with 17 minutes to go for Leicester defender Callum Doyle proved crucial.

He fouled Nicolas Jackson and, having been initially been shown a yellow card and a penalty given, the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled the foul was outside of the box but upgraded his yellow to a red.

Chelsea applied constant pressure from there and Chukwuemeka slotted in after a clever flick from Cole Palmer, who scored along with Marc Cucurella for Chelsea in the first half, in the 92nd minute.

Madueke's long-range strike sealed the win which maintains Chelsea's hopes of ending a difficult season on a high by winning the FA Cup for the first time since 2018.

Leicester's attention turns back to the Championship where the Foxes' lead has been cut to one point as they attempt to earn promotion back to the Premier League.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

How did you rate the side's performance, Chelsea fans?

Leicester fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

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