An independent commission recommended the sanction, which was ratified by the EFL board and applies to the Championship table immediately.

The deduction thrusts Leicester into a relegation battle, sitting 20th in the standings on 32 points and only outside of the drop zone on goal difference.

Saints have been in the same division as the Foxes since 2014, suffering two relegations and enjoying one promotion alongside each other in that time.

The commission was appointed under Premier League rules last May, after an arbitration tribunal ruled jurisdiction to investigate alleged breaches of EFL rules could transfer to the Premier League following their promotion to the top flight in 2024.

The commission determined the club had breached the P&S threshold by £20.8million over the three-year assessment period ending 2023/24.

The Foxes were also found to have breached Premier League rules in failing to provide their annual accounts to the league when requested.

In a club statement, Leicester responded: "It is with disappointment that Leicester City acknowledges the independent commission’s decision, and the club will use the time available to consider its next steps.

"While the...