Sunderland’s Championship rivals risk a possible points deduction over alleged financial rule violations.
One of Sunderland’s Championship rivals may face a points deduction for alleged financial rule violations, but the punishment will not occur this season. Financial Fair Play, often known as profit and sustainability regulations, has become a hot topic in football in recent years.
Governing organisations have begun to crack down on overspenders, requiring clubs to be more cautious during transfer windows in order to avoid breaking the rules. The Premier League, in particular, has been strong on the issue, withholding 10 points from Everton, four of which were returned.
However, the Toffees face more charges, which may include Nottingham Forest and a Championship club. That club is Leicester City, and Sky Sports reports that the Foxes’ books, which will be disclosed later this month, will show losses exceeding the allowable loss limit of £105 million for the previous three seasons. The £105 million cap is a hard maximum that clubs must adhere to on a rolling three-season basis.
If Leicester have lost more than that amount, they will face charges from the Premier League, who could then dish out a points deduction depending on what their financial investigations find. Though, unlike Everton, it looks as though the Foxes’ points deduction will come at a later, date, meaning their Championship promotion bid will remain on track. The Foxes are currently top of the Championship, three points clear of Ipswich Town and five ahead of Leeds United.
Premier League clubs recently voted to allow the Premier League to fast-track punishments, meaning clubs can face points deductions in the same season. That was passed to avoid situations where clubs go on to achieve success before serving a points deduction later on, almost making it worth the risk to break financial rules.
But with Leicester having been relegated before the fast-track rule was introduced, the Premier League would have to wait until next season to hand out the punishment, when the Foxes may well be back in the Premier League. Crucially, though, clubs who drop down to the Championship from here on in can be punished by the Premier League while they are in the second tier.
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