Nottingham Forest Face Dismissal As Delay On Decision Makes Their Position Worse

Nottingham Forest are likely to discover the result of their Premier League profit and sustainability rules breach hearing this week.

The club face the real possibility of a points deduction with the Premier League introducing new rules on financial conduct in 2018/19 to limit spending.

This came into place to stop clubs from gambling on being promoted to the Premier League and thereafter incurring huge losses. Nottingham Forest and Everton were both charged with breaches of these rules back in January 2023 and a hearing was held on 7 and 8 March.

Ideally, the ruling was expected on Friday just past, however, the Premier League rules state that the commission must provide its decision along with written reasons within a week of the conclusion of the hearing. It therefore stands to reason that an announcement will be made this week, potentially as early as Monday.

Whatever the outcome, it will have a significant impact on Nottingham Forest's season. A deduction of four points or more would see them drop into the relegation zone, with nine games remaining.

Everton were hit with a six-point penalty earlier in the season for a similar breach of financial rules, although this was reduced from 10 on appeal. They too are awaiting a second decision on a further breach in the assessment period ending with their 2022-23 accounts.

Nottingham Forest argued their case on the basis that their large spending was incurred in their promotion season of 2021/22 and the sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham for a fee of more than £45m after the accounting deadline helped them breach regulations.

The club remain confident of a favourable resolution, however, any deduction would severely hinder their chances of survival let alone development. Their current manager Nuno Espirito Santo has asked for clarity before their next match with the club stating that they will be 'focusing on the pitch' upon resolution.