Nottingham Forest should not get points deduction for ‘minor breach’ Premier League CEO

Ex-Premier League CEO: Nottingham Forest shouldn’t lose points for a “minor breach.”

Keith Wyness, the former chief executive of Aston Villa and Everton, has stated that Nottingham Forest’s “minor breach” of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) regulations should not result in a point deduction.

The 66-year-old, who ran a football consultancy advising elite clubs after serving as CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009, stated he has “sympathy” with the Midlands club for attempting to “safeguard their investment” and “secure their place” in the top tier in an interview with Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.

Forest were charged with breaching PSR rules in January after their 2022-23 accounts were released – with the club allegedly exceeding their £61million allowable losses over three years up to the end of last season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are set to hear the verdict of their trial before the end of the 2023-24 campaign with a potential points deduction on the cards if found guilty.

‘I have sympathy’ for Nottingham Forest over FFP breach, says expert

Everton have already been found guilty of a similar breach and handed an immediate 10-point deduction.

Forest signed no fewer than 30 players in the 2022-23 campaign following their promotion from the Championship.

“Forest are supposed to be competing in the Premier League against clubs like Man City. These rules are not built on common sense.

“When it comes to the practice of implementing the rules, we’re finding clubs like Forest are being penalised.

“With Forest, I have sympathy. All they’re trying to do is safeguard their investment and secure their place in the Premier League.

“They bought a lot of players, but they weren’t exactly egregious with their spending.

“All they did was have a fair shot at trying to stay in the Premier League.

“I don’t really see the need to give them a points deduction for that.”