Why Nottingham Forest points deduction update is 'ludicrous' as elephant in the room remains
Saturday’s victory over Sheffield United always felt big for Nottingham Forest. Even more so now.
Reportedly unsuccessful in their bid to have their four-point deduction for breaching financial rules reduced, the Reds remain three points above the drop zone. The win picked up at Bramall Lane has taken on even more significance.
Forest now know where they stand, at least. They have had this saga and the uncertainty it brings hanging over them for far too long.
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Nuno Espirito Santo has referred to it as a “mess” and a “distraction”. He is right. It should have been sorted well before early May. To receive the appeal decision with just two games left to play is ludicrous.
“We are waiting to see the final decisions and see if we have 33, 32, 31 or 30 points.” the Portuguese said after Saturday’s 3-1 victory. “This is what we have to know, and for our opponents also. It (the verdict) should have been done before.
“People have spoken about the integrity of the league and it’s not good for anyone. They have to get it right.”
Whether the club feel the independent commission and the Premier League did “get it right” is another matter. Forest had been hopeful of getting at least one point back.
But regardless, what matters now is what happens on the pitch. Survival is firmly in the Reds’ hands. No more distractions, it comes down to what Nuno’s men do in their remaining matches.
There are significant flaws with the Profitability and Sustainability Rules in their current form. Not least the inconsistency between the independent commissions’ decisions where Forest and Everton are concerned.
It is something both clubs have highlighted in official statements. When the former's points deduction was originally confirmed, the club said: “That the Premier League sought a sanction of eight points as a starting point was utterly disproportionate when compared to the nine points that their own rules prescribe for insolvency. We were also surprised that the Premier League gave no consideration at all to the unique circumstances of the Club and its mitigation.”
After their second points deduction of the season, Everton said: “Everton remains committed to working collaboratively with the League on all matters relating to PSR but is extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s 115 charges are the substantial elephant in the room. Questions will continue to be asked and eyebrows will continue to be raised while that remains the case.
Lessons must be learned at the City Ground to avoid being in this position again. But the priority is to ensure the Reds are still in the Premier League to follow those learnings through - and now they know what is required to get over the line.