By Can Erozden
The English Premier League on Thursday charged Leicester City for allegedly violating the spending rules during their time at the top-tier division.
In a statement, the league said: "The Premier League has today referred Leicester City FC to an independent Commission for an alleged breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) and for failing to submit their audited financial accounts to the League.
"The alleged breach relates to the assessment period ending Season 2022/23, when the club was a member of the Premier League."
Called the Foxes, Leicester City, who were the 2016 English champions, are now playing in the second-tier Championship division after they were relegated from the Premier League last season.
In a statement, Leicester City said that the club is "surprised" and "extremely disappointed" about the timing of the actions taken by the Premier League.
"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 Club continues to take careful advice about its position and, if necessary, will continue to defend itself from any unlawful acts by the football authorities, should they seek to exercise jurisdiction where they cannot do so, as occurred earlier this year," the Foxes said.
Second-place Leicester City, who have a game in hand, have 82 points in the Championship division. Leeds United are leading the league on goal average.
The best two clubs in the Championship standings are automatically promoted to the Premier League, and a team from playoffs joins them.
A points deduction may risk Leicester City's promotion chances.
Leicester City is a Premier League frequenter in the 1990s and early 2000s. Following so many years at the Championship, the Foxes played in the Premier League in 2014-2023.
Several well-known players such as France's N'Golo Kante, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, England duo James Maddison and Harry Maguire played for Leicester City in previous years.
Former England player Jamie Vardy, one of the main protagonists of the 2016 success, is still a Leicester City striker.