Forest lose appeal over points deduction
John Percy
Nottingham Forest’s hopes of a boost in their fight to avoid relegation from the English Premier League have suffered a blow after their appeal over a four-points deduction for a breach of financial rules was rejected.
Forest remain 17th in the table and only three points clear of Luton, who currently occupy the final relegation place, after an independent commission upheld the initial sanction from last month.
The decision comes as a boost for relegation rivals Burnley, who sit five points off safety with only two matches to play.
Had Forest successfully argued a onepoint reduction in their points sanction, then Burnley would have effectively been relegated by their largely inferior goal difference, while two points would have mathematically confirmed their relegation.
The Premier League hit Forest with the four-point deduction in March after the club was found to have breached the Profitability
and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by exceeding permitted losses of NZ$127 million by $71.8m.
Forest contested the punishment as they argued that the $99m sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham on September 1, which fell outside the deadline of July 30, was effectively ignored.
Johnson’s exit was delayed by over two months as Forest held out for a bigger fee. Their argument was that waiting to secure a higher amount was a clear attempt to bank profit and remain sustainable.
An independent commission has now delivered their verdict to leave Forest frustrated as they were convinced the club had a strong case.
Everton’s record 10-point deduction was trimmed to six after appeal earlier this year, but Forest’s punishment will remain the same.
Forest have two games left this season, with a home match against Chelsea followed by a trip to Burnley. The 3-1 win at already relegated Sheffield United leaves Forest needing only a win against Chelsea to virtually guarantee their safety.