Waiting for VAR: End of Season Anticipation
The Premier League has been hit with controversy once again, but this time it’s not about a questionable referee decision or a player’s misconduct. Former Nottingham Forest chief executive, Paul Faulkner, has spoken out against the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) that he believes have “created chaos” and “damaged” the league.
Forest recently found themselves in hot water when an independent commission ruled that their losses up to the 2022-23 season breached the threshold of £61m by £34.5m. This news comes as a blow to the club, who are now expected to appeal the decision. The appeal, if any, must be finalized by 24 May, just five days after the end of the Premier League season.
Everton, another club facing PSR violations, had initially received a 10-point deduction, but this was later reduced to six on appeal. However, their second case is still pending and yet to be heard. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest side is now just one point adrift of Luton Town, and the battle to avoid relegation could potentially be decided off the pitch, much to Faulkner’s frustration.
“It’s not clear to anyone who follows football, fans and the clubs themselves, and it ends up creating that chaos around it. Luton could invade the pitch, celebrate staying up, people have one of the greatest days of their lives and five days later get told ‘Sorry, you’re relegated’. It damages the competition,” Faulkner expressed his concerns.
The process regarding Forest’s case was completed within the initial 12-week timeframe, ensuring that any punishment would be applied within the existing season. The Premier League had initially suggested an eight-point deduction for Forest, which was then reduced to six after mitigation. Two possible calculations were offered for this deduction – based on Everton’s breach and a point deduction for every £6.5m over the threshold.
Faulkner believes that there must be a better way to handle PSR violations. “Surely there has to be a better way – it cannot be so hard to understand and fathom. If there are breaches, here is the bracket for the points deduction. It feels unsatisfactory,” he stated.
Forest, who have signed 42 players since their promotion in 2022, spending a reported £250m, have been striving to compete in the top flight after 23 years away. They narrowly avoided relegation last season by just four points, thanks to their strong investment in new players. However, Faulkner questions whether what Forest did was wrong, stating, “If Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis didn’t spend, the club wouldn’t have stayed up. Is what Forest did wrong?”
The club has issued a strong statement expressing their disappointment with the decision. They argue that they have been penalized for trying to be competitive in the Premier League. Forest’s defense revolves around the timing of the sale of Brennan Johnson, who joined Tottenham after the accounting deadline.
The PSR rules were introduced to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of clubs and maintain the competitive nature of the league. However, Faulkner believes that they have moved away from their initial purpose. He recalls his time as Aston Villa chief executive, when he and the club voted against the rules, fearing that they would discourage future investment in clubs. “If you have that money, why shouldn’t you be able to use it? As opposed to being told you can’t after what’s happened in the two previous years?” Faulkner questioned.
In conclusion, the recent PSR violations and subsequent penalties imposed on clubs like Nottingham Forest have stirred up controversy and frustration within the Premier League. The uncertainty surrounding relegation battles and the fairness of the punishment system has left many questioning the effectiveness of the profit and sustainability rules. As the end of the season approaches, fans, players, and club executives alike anxiously await the resolution of these ongoing disputes.