However, the Cricket Regulator admitted in a separate hearing that it had not considered the implications of its judgement at an initial tribunal. The Regulator also ceded they had “no jurisdiction or power to alter the automatic application of playing condition 16.2.6”, which they did by recommending an additional eight-point deduction in their initial investigation.

That result meant Essex finished 25 points clear in eighth place, on 136 to 111, having themselves looked set for a sixth defeat in eight games until rain saved them on the final day of their own fixture against Glamorgan at Cardiff on Sunday.

Although the CDP amended its initial verdict, and withdrew the additional eight-point penalty that was imposed at the original hearing on September 15, it is not yet sufficient to overturn the deficit to Essex.

“In the interests of fairness and transparency, the Cricket Regulator raised this issue with the CDP and Leicestershire CCC,” a statement read. “The CDP has now considered this issue and adjusted their decision on the sanction accordingly.”

Emma White, Leicestershire’s chief executive, insists that the club will continue to fight the sanction, and has instructed counsel Craig Harris and Oliver Laurence of Periculum Sport to act for the club throughout the appeal process, having initially fought the charge without legal representation.

“The Panel made clear that the latest hearing and Amended Decision, which relates to the sanction alone, were not appeal proceedings,” White said in a statement issued by the club.

“Our position on the charge is therefore unchanged. We continue to believe it should not have been upheld, and that we ought not to have suffered the points deduction we have. We therefore still intend to appeal, focusing upon the process and resultant evidential position upon which the Panel was caused to decide the case.”

The Cricket Regulator confirmed that the window for appeal is still open.