Appeal decision bad news for Premier League

Premier League sources were incredulous last night at the independent panel's decision to rule they cannot take action against Leicester City over potential profit and sustainability breaches.

Effectively, the ruling confirmed that because Leicester officially ceased to be a Premier League side when their share certificate was handed over in mid-June 2023, the league did not have the power to take action against them over the accounting period that ended on 30 June 2023.

The Premier League can appeal, but the bar is high and what would they be appealing against? The ruling indicates the wording in the Premier League's regulations is not legally sound.

That will certainly be looked at - but what does it mean for Nottingham Forest, who were also not a Premier League club for part of the period they were deducted points for last season, and also potential breaches in the latest set of accounts that clubs are due to present to the league in December.

Beyond that, if the Premier League cannot make this stick - and it is a relatively straightforward case - what does it mean for their chances of a successful hearing against Manchester City later this year?