Nottingham Forest unsuccessful in appeal against point deduction for breaching Premier League rules

Nottingham Forest have failed in their bid to appeal a four point deduction for breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

Forest were originally handed a four point deduction for overspending.

The news comes as Forest sit in 17th in the table, three points ahead of the relegation places with two games against Chelsea and Burnley still to play.

Despite a four-point deduction now being confirmed, Forest will still be hoping to secure a third season in the Premier League.

The independent Appeal Board say they have upheld the decision to deduct four points and that the original decision to impose a sanction was correct.

Forest appealed against that sanction, arguing that the commission made a mistake in not treating the sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham on transfer deadline day last summer as mitigation.

The club also argued a further mistake was made by the commission in failing to wholly or partially suspend the sanction.

However, an appeal board announced on Tuesday that the original commission was “entitled and right” to reach the decision it did, and took aim at the approach taken to the appeal by Forest.

“Some of the criticisms of the (original) decision have involved a minute examination of the words used by the commission,” the appeal board said.

“Decisions such as these should not be subjected to microscopic forensic examination and interpreted as if they were statutes which have been drafted by Parliamentary Counsel.

“Allegations of infelicities of language or errors which are not material to the ultimate decision add to the complexity and costs of proceedings and are rarely likely to lead to a successful challenge of a decision.”

The decision to uphold the original sanction leaves Forest on 29 points with two games left to play, three points above the relegation zone.

ITV Central has contacted the Premier League for a statement

Nottingham Forest have made it clear that they are offering no comment at this time.

Why have Nottingham Forest been docked by four points?

Forest were charged with overspending, with 42 players arriving at the City Ground and more than £250 million spent since their return to the premier league.

Premier League clubs are allowed to lose £105 million over a three year period. However, Forest's permitted losses were limited to £61 million because they spent two years of that period in the championship.

However, Forest went over that £61 million limit by £34.5 million.

Forest were expected to receive the same six point punishment as Everton, but received leniency for cooperation.

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