Premier League loophole could see team start on minus points next season

A Premier League loophole could see a team start on minus points next season.

This season's Premier League is hotting up in both ends of the table.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are battling it out for the league title while a host of clubs are fighting to remain in the top flight.

It's also getting going in the Championship with Leicester City currently leading the way, three points clear of second-placed Ipswich Town (at the time of writing).

The Foxes, who suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, are looking for an instant return.

But they could be hit with a points deduction next season over two potential breaches of financial rules.

Clubs in the Premier League and Championship suspect Leicester broke the £105 limit on losses for the three years that needed last season.

They also think the club will exceed the £83 million of combined losses they can make over the three years ending with the current season.

Leicester, though, could return to the Premier League BEFORE any breaches are punished.

Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca. Image: Getty

There is confusion over which league is responsible for checking a club's finances for the campaign when they are relegated from, or promoted to, the Premier League.

That causes a delay allowing sides to escape immediate punishment for financial breaches.

If any of last season's relegated clubs broke rules in the 2022/23 term, they could be promoted before a case was brought.

However, due to the Premier League's new system, Everton, who have had their 10-point deduction reduced to six points on appeal, and Nottingham Forest are facing potential punishment for their alleged breaches in the same season.

Everton and Forest had to submit their numbers on December 31 as they had specified last year that they would be close to the maximum permitted losses.

Leicester were in a similar situation, but relegation from the Premier League meant they did not have to disclose their figures.

If the King Power Stadium outfit secure promotion this season, they will be back amongst the best teams in the country before either the EFL or Premier League has the chance to deal with any rule breach.

Enzo Maresca, who was tasked with taking Leicester back to the Premier League, could see his side promoted from the Championship this season.

They are five points clear of third-placed Leeds United, with 11 league games remaining.