Leicestershire's last hope has gone: their appeal against a points penalty failed, and the club drops out of County Championship Division One.
The verdict is in and there is no way back for Leicestershire. Their appeal against a points penalty has been rejected, which confirms their relegation from Division One of the County Championship.
The appeal was the club's final route to staying among the elite. With it dismissed, the penalty stands and the club's top-flight status goes with it. Leicestershire will drop into Division Two.
For a side that wanted to prove it could compete at the highest domestic level, this is a painful way to go. A relegation settled in an appeal room rather than out in the middle will sting for players, staff and supporters alike.
The focus now turns to regrouping. Leicestershire must rebuild and plan for a campaign in the second tier, with the aim of earning a swift return to Division One.
