The Premier League spent more than £45m on legal costs over the 2023-24 football season in an effort to fight alleged rule breakers.

The body that runs England’s top flight is currently in ongoing disputes having also concluded proceedings on a number of matters across last season.

Everton were hit with two separate points deductions for breaches of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) relating to losses made versus money spent. Fellow club Nottingham Forest were also punished for breaching the same rules.

Promoted Leicester City survived a Premier League investigation earlier this season, potentially denting hopes of future PSR cases.

The Premier League also has two ongoing disputes with champions Manchester City. The first is by the league and relates to breaches of PSR while the second is by Manchester City themselves relating to the competition’s rules regarding­ ­associated party transactions – City states these rules are noncompetitive.

The case against the Premier League by Manchester City could see a decision announced this week at a Premier League shareholder meeting, where the legal costs for last season are to be disclosed.

Furthermore there is a Premier League investigation into Chelsea relating to alleged irregular payments linked to former owner Roman Abramovich.