Premier League and EFL to close loophole in their spending rules exploited by Leicester… while top-flight clubs are braced for row over independent regulator – AHEAD OF THE GAME
- Leicester took advantage of a loophole to avoid sanctions for a spending breach
- The Premier League and EFL have now agreed to align their spending rules
- The great rivalry between Klopp and Guardiola: who will come out on top in their last ever league match? Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
The Premier League and EFL will align their spending rules after Leicester exploited a loophole to avoid sanctions.
From next season, the Premier League’s rapid reporting system, which requires clubs to submit accounts for the previous season by December 31, will also apply to clubs that have been relegated.
The goal is for any penalty for a spending violation to be applied that season. Leicester avoided having to adhere to those rules this season because when the new rules came into effect last June, they had already been relegated.
However, the club could face two points deductions next season as they risk exceeding the limits for two periods ending in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
The latter process is managed by the EFL, but a points deduction would also apply to the top flight if they win promotion.
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is pictured during a match last year. His club has managed to exploit a loophole in Premier League and EFL rules
That loophole will be closed and Enzo Maresca’s Leicester could face two points deductions next season
Huddersfield’s dispute with the local authority
Huddersfield is in a dispute with the local authority over the funding of the John Smith’s Stadium.
Kirklees Council is refusing to pay their share of the bills because they are facing financial difficulties.
Forty percent of the operating costs must be paid by the municipality, 40 percent by the municipality and 20 percent by rugby club Huddersfield Giants.
Huddersfield are in a dispute with the local government over the financing of their stadium
Man United is taking a leaf out of Liverpool’s book
Manchester United have held talks with the masterminds behind Liverpool’s transfer activity under Jurgen Klopp as they look to improve recruitment.
United have spoken to Ludonautics, the sports consultancy and statistical analysis company run by former Liverpool research director Dr Ian Graham. Ludonautics was launched by Graham in an attempt to offer the data services he provided at Anfield to other clubs.
Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is also working as a consultant for Ludonautics after turning down numerous offers to return to work full-time at other clubs.
Ludonautics has been appointed by several clubs across Europe in recent months, but does not make their client list public. United and Ludonautics declined to comment.
Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards, (left), works as a consultant at Ludonautics, having previously been a huge success at Anfield
Premier League clubs are ready for a new match
Premier League clubs are bracing for another internal row as the government introduces a bill to create an independent regulator amid disagreement over who should pay for it.
Many Premier League clubs blame the Big Six for the regulation, as their decision to join the European Super League prompted this regulation, and want them to pay for it. The Big Six disagree.