Premier League Table Updated: Nottingham Forest’s Points Deduction Impact
Nottingham Forest’s hopes of survival in the Premier League have taken a major blow as they have been hit with a four-point penalty for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules. This deduction has caused the club to sink into the relegation zone, going from 17th place on 25 points to 18th place on 21 points. It’s a devastating blow for the team and their fans, who were hoping to secure their place in the top-flight for another season.
The impact of Forest’s points deduction is not only felt by the club but also by their competitors. Luton Town, in particular, have benefited from the news as they now rise just above the safety line without even having to kick a ball. It’s a stroke of luck for Luton, who now have a fighting chance to avoid relegation.
Forest’s breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules occurred during the 2022/23 campaign. These rules, also known as Financial Fair Play regulations, aim to ensure that clubs do not accumulate excessive financial losses. Clubs are not allowed to lose more than £105 million over three seasons.
This is not the first time Forest find themselves in trouble with financial regulations. In their previous season in the Championship, they were also subject to financial restrictions and were not allowed to lose more than £61 million per year. Despite these regulations, Forest made a significant number of signings since their promotion to the top-flight, investing in 42 players.
The club’s spending spree included breaking their transfer record three times for Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Ibrahim Sangare. These signings were intended to strengthen Forest’s squad and compete in the Premier League. However, it seems that their financial activities have caught up with them, resulting in the points deduction.
In response to the penalty, Forest has reportedly argued that they were only in breach of the rules for a short period, between June 30 and September 1, while filling their accounts. They pointed out that they had only received the first installment of the £47.5 million owed by Tottenham for the sale of Brennan Johnson, which was completed on September 1. Forest now have 14 days to launch an appeal against the deduction.
It’s worth noting that Forest is not the only club to face a points deduction this season. Everton was also docked six points for breaching financial regulations. However, Everton’s deduction was later reduced to four points after a successful appeal.
The Premier League table has seen a significant shuffle following Forest’s points deduction. Arsenal remains at the top, while Liverpool and Manchester City trail closely behind in second and third place, respectively. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur complete the top five.
The relegation battle has become even more intense with Forest’s drop into the bottom three. West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are just a few points above the relegation zone, making every match crucial for these teams.
As Forest prepares to fight for their Premier League survival, the club and its fans will hope for a successful appeal against the points deduction. It’s a challenging time for the club, but with determination and the support of their loyal supporters, Nottingham Forest will look to turn their fortunes around and secure their place in the top-flight for another season.