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

Leicester 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 high-flyers could face a points deduction.

The Foxes are also subject to a separate financial probe by the English Football League (EFL).

Leicester, who were relegated at the end of last season, said they were “surprised” and “disappointed” by the timing of the Premier League’s actions, when the club is not in the top flight.

The club added they would “defend” themselves “from any unlawful acts by the football authorities, should they seek to exercise jurisdiction where they cannot do so”.

“LCFC remains willing and eager to engage constructively with the Premier League and the EFL to seek the proper resolution of any potential charges, by the right bodies, and at the right time,” the Foxes said.

Leicester are yet to make their accounts for their last season in the Premier League publicly available, but in the 12 months up to May 2022 they lost a club record £92.5m.

A year earlier, in the season when they lifted the FA Cup for the first time, the club reported a pre-tax loss of £33.1m.

Top-flight rules permit clubs to make losses of £105m over a three-year period, or £35m per campaign, before facing sanctions.

Both Everton and Nottingham Forest have faced similar charges relating to their accounts up to 2022-23, with the latter found guilty and hit with a four-point deduction on Monday.

Everton were docked 10 points in November – which was reduced to six on appeal – for previous PSR breaches, and are waiting on a potential second punishment relating to the assessment period ending with their 2022-23 accounts.

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