SANTO CLAWS
Forest boss rips into deductions ‘mess’
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO says the ongoing row over point deductions is damaging the integrity of the Premier League.
The Nottingham Forest boss broke cover as he called for a quick solution to the “mess” that has developed in the wake of alleged issues over Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Forest have seen four points wiped off their total – a punishment they are appealing.
And asked if he wants a speedy resolution with six games of the season left to play, Nuno replied: “Everyone wants that – the teams that are involved, the teams that aren’t – so that we have a clear picture of what the real situation is.
“I hope it is resolved before the last game. Or it will create a big confusion on playing and decisions being made by every club.
“It can affect the integrity of the competition, no doubt about it.
“In terms of our approach, that won’t change.
“Since we arrived at the club, the objective has always been the same – to win games and realise we have tough opponents and how we can do things.
“But there are decisions to be made. The competition by itself needs some final decision because it’s a mess.
“And it’s a mess because it’s appeal after appeal after appeal and we don’t know exactly what is going to happen. There’s a lot of uncertainty.”
Nuno also defended skipper Ryan Yates in the wake of the incident with James Maddison last Sunday.
The Spurs attacking midfielder was accused of punching the Forest man in the stomach, leading pundit Roy Keane to question whether Yates went down too easily.
But the Forest boss said: “Everyone is entitled to his opinion – but as I saw it, it’s a clear red card.
“I think VAR should better judge it. It’s difficult for the referee to see.
“The images were clearer on VAR. In my opinion, it was a red card.”