Nottingham Forest news: Keith Wyness reacts to points deduction twist
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted the Premier League have averted “very big embarrassment“ with Nottingham Forest set to secure safety “on the pitch”.
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 – claimed it “wouldn’t be right” if relegation for Luton and Burnley was confirmed by Forest’s points deduction appeal.
The Premier League confirmed on Tuesday (7 May) that an independent appeal board has upheld Forest’s four-point deduction for a breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Mitigating factors, including the sale of Brennan Johnson, were rejected and their points penalty will remain in place.
Forest sit three points above 18th-place Luton Town with two games left to play in the 2023-24 campaign.
Premier League dodge ‘big embarrassment’ by rejecting Nottingham Forest appeal, says Wyness
They face Chelsea and 19th-place Burnley in their final games of this season.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “If it was tighter at the bottom and Nottingham Forest were given points back as the defining factor in relegation, then it would be a very big embarrassment for the Premier League.
“It wouldn’t be right for relegation, such a big thing, to be decided off the pitch.
“However, they’ve not been given any points back and it looks like Forest could well have the margin to be safe.
“We’ll be able to say that relegation was decided on the pitch after all – and that’s probably to the great relief of the Premier League.”
In other news, 22-year-old could join Nottingham Forest exodus.
For more Nottingham Forest and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.