Nottingham Forest’s appeal against their four-point punishment for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules has been unsuccessful. The independent commission’s original decision to impose the sanction has been upheld, meaning Forest will remain in 17th place and three points clear of the relegation zone with just two games left to play.
The commission found that Forest’s losses up until the 2022-23 season exceeded the threshold of £61m by £34.5m. In March, the club dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone after the initial points deduction. The profit and sustainability rules allow clubs to lose £105m over three seasons, or £35m per campaign. However, Forest’s maximum loss was limited to £61m due to spending two years of the assessment in the Championship.
In the 2022-23 season, Forest had a net transfer spend of £142.8m. They incurred an average loss of £3m across 2020 and 2021, followed by a further £40m loss in 2022 and £52m in 2023, resulting in a total loss of £95m.
Initially, Forest were due to receive a six-point deduction, but their “early plea” and “cooperation” led to the ban being reduced to four points. Everton, who were also charged with breaching PSR, received a 10-point deduction which was reduced to six on appeal. They were later hit with an additional two-point deduction for a second breach, which they have appealed against, but they are currently safe from relegation.
The resolution of Forest’s PSR case comes after a controversial statement they made on social media following a 2-0 defeat against Everton. The club has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for questioning the integrity of the video assistant referee (VAR) in the post. Despite their criticism, it has been clarified that Forest did not request for the VAR, Stuart Attwell, to be replaced prior to the match.
Luton midfielder Andros Townsend, who previously played for Everton, criticized the uncertainty surrounding clubs being sanctioned and subsequently appealing, stating that it “makes a mockery of the Premier League.” He expressed the need for certainty when announcing charges and points deductions.
Moving forward, Forest will face Chelsea on Saturday and conclude their campaign against relegation-threatened Burnley on May 19th.
This case highlights the importance of adhering to financial regulations in football and the potential consequences for clubs that fail to do so. It also raises questions about the consistency and transparency of the punishment process within the Premier League. The fact that Forest’s ban was reduced from six to four points due to an early plea and cooperation suggests a degree of subjectivity in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, the significant net transfer spend of £142.8m in the 2022-23 season raises concerns about the club’s financial management and their ability to sustain long-term success. It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact Forest’s future spending and recruitment strategies.
The controversy surrounding Forest’s social media statement regarding VAR highlights the ongoing debate about the role of technology in football and its impact on decision-making. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity in public communications, especially when criticizing match officials.
Overall, Nottingham Forest’s failed appeal against their points deduction serves as a reminder of the financial challenges faced by Premier League clubs and the need for strict adherence to profit and sustainability rules. The case also raises broader questions about the consistency and transparency of the punishment process within English football.