Nottingham Forest’s survival hopes received a huge blow, as they have been slapped with a four-point deduction for violating the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations. The club now finds itself in the relegation zone, one point away from safety, heading into the final stage of the season.
The news caps off a challenging period for Forest, which saw them unable to secure a win against Luton Town over the weekend. The match at Kenilworth Road ended in a 1-1 draw, extending Forest’s winless run to five games across all competitions.
🚨🌳 Nottingham Forest are currently considering an appeal after four-point deduction.
Decision up to the club and their lawyers. pic.twitter.com/wLvyDutGyN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 18, 2024
The points deduction comes after an investigation into the club’s financial dealings, with reports indicating that Nottingham Forest failed to meet the league’s financial rules. The sanction saw Forest drop in the relegation zone, after moving from 17th to 18th place in the standings.
It is a major setback for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who had been fighting tooth and nail to secure their status in England’s top flight for the next campaign. The City Ground outfit, becomes the second Premier League team to have points deducted for financial irregularities throughout the 2023/24 season, after Everton.
The Toffees, who were also punished for financial mismanagement, had their initial 10-point deduction reduced to six points upon appeal. This revision offers a glimmer of hope that Nottingham Forest might seek a similar outcome through the appeals process.