Nottingham Forest have been docked four points by the Premier League for breaking Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The Reds now drop into the bottom three, sitting a point behind Luton Town, who they drew 1-1 with on Saturday.
Here is the Forest fan reaction to the news.
Contents
🚨 Nottingham Forest given four-point deduction by independent panel for breach of Premier League profitability & sustainability rules. #NFFC drop to 18th in table + have 14 days to notify whether intend to appeal. May 24 backstop for cases @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/zUdieMBPHM
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) March 18, 2024
Forest PSR charge explained
Forest had a hearing last week on March 7 and 8 to decide the level of punishment for breaking PSR rules. Premier League clubs were assessed over a three-year financial period, which ended on June 30, 2023.
The permitted losses for this period were £105 million, equating to £35 million every Premier League season. However, the Tricky Trees spent two of the three years in the Championship, meaning their permitted loss was only £61 million.
Forest were represented by sports lawyer Nick de Marco KC, and the main defence was based around the sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur in September. The club were offered £30 million and £35 million for the Welsh forward before the stated June deadline but held out for £45 million in September to maximise profit gained from the sale.
The Premier League announced in a statement that Forest had “breached the relevant PSR threshold of £61 million by £34.5 million. The threshold was lower than £105 million as the club spent two seasons of the assessment period in the EFL Championship.”
‘Uplifting news’ – Relief for Forest fans
The East Midlands club were charged by the Premier League for breaking PSR limits on January 15, and since then it has been an agonising wait for supporters. Over on X.com (formerly Twitter), @CityGroundShelf said: “When news broke in January that we’d be breached FFP. The initial thought process from everybody (me included), was oh Christ 10-point deduction. We’re doomed. So, to only get 4 is uplifting news to be honest.”
When news broke in January that we’d breached FFP. The initial thought process from everybody (me included), was oh Christ 10 point deduction. We’re doomed. So to only get 4 is uplifting news to be honest.
— CityGroundShelf (@CityGroundShelf) March 18, 2024
Nick Miller, who works as a football journalist for The Athletic and is a Forest fan, said: “Take the four points. They broke the rules, it could’ve been worse.” Meanwhile, @LouisWheeldonNS said: “Nothing looming over our heads anymore. -4 maybe isn’t as light as some hoped but isn’t as severe as many feared. Straight fist fight between us and the drop zone now. Regroup, galvanise, get that last-nine spirit we showed last year. Battling days ahead.
Take the four points. They broke the rules, it could've been much worse. https://t.co/KTb5Q8SVWE
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) March 18, 2024
Nothing looming over our heads anymore. -4 maybe isn’t as light as some hoped but isn’t as severe as many feared.
Straight fist fight between us and the drop zone now. Regroup, galvanise, get that last-nine spirit we showed last year.
Battling days ahead ⚔️ #NFFC | #PL pic.twitter.com/lf1sQ1pOvL
— Louis Wheeldon (@LouisWheeldonNS) March 18, 2024
Nine games to save Premier League status
Forest won’t play their next game until Saturday, March 30, due to the international break. When they return, they will have nine games to make up the one-point gap between them and 17th place, which now exists.
Nuno’s side play Crystal Palace and Fulham at the City Ground immediately after the international break in what already look like pivotal clashes.