Nottingham Forest have 'side deal' with Premier League - 'something's going on', says Wyness
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has claimed Nottingham Forest may have a "side deal" with the Premier League which means they won't appeal their four-point deduction.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the Midlands club's angry statement on Monday (18 March) may have been "for show".
Nottingham Forest responded to the deduction earlier this week - insisting they are "extremely dismayed" at the independent commission's decision to dock points.
They claimed the decision has "harmed the trust and confidence" of the club in the Premier League.
Forest admitted breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) by spending £34.5million above their permitted loss threshold of £61million.
'I'd be very surprised' if Nottingham Forest appeal, says Wyness
The club did not confirm their intention to appeal, and Wyness claimed he would be "very surprised" if they do.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “What is interesting to me is whether Forest will appeal.
“They’ve got seven days to decide. They put out a very angry statement after the decision came through, but part of me thinks they may not appeal.
“They may have come to a side deal with the Premier League to get the deduction reduced to four points on the basis that they don’t appeal.
“I think something is going on here.
“The statement seemed to me to be for show. I’d be very surprised if they do appeal. I could be wrong, but I’d be very surprised.
“Their lawyer, Nick De Marco KC, set out their case very well and I’d be very surprised if he was recommending an appeal.”
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