Nottingham Forest points deduction: Keith Wyness verdict on increased penalty after ‘surprise’ twist
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has claimed Nottingham Forest are unlikely to incur a further points deduction after appealing against their four-point penalty.
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 Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will feel “there are grounds for further leniency”.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were docked four points last week (18 March) for a single breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The punishment dropped Forest into the relegation zone with 10 games left to play in the 2023-24 campaign.
As stated in the original independent commission report, a verdict on the appeal will be delivered on or before 24 May – five days after the end of the Premier League season.
Nottingham Forest appeal could make Premier League look ‘more and more stupid’, says Wyness
Meanwhile, Everton face another points deduction for breaching PSR a second time with their hearing concluding on Wednesday (27 March) and a verdict set to be delivered on 8 April.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I said that I’d be very surprised if they appealed, but they’ve gone ahead – so I’ll take that one.
“I just thought the way that their lawyers had played their case, and with the two-point reduction for behaving well meant they wouldn’t have pushed the appeal.
“But Marinakis feels there are grounds for further leniency.
“He feels the four-point deduction can be reduced further. I don’t believe there’s a risk of them getting an increased penalty, so they’re safe enough to go ahead.
“I hope they do get this penalty reduced.
“It’s another appeal, another commission, and another ruling which probably won’t fit in with the precedents already created by other cases.
“The whole cycle goes on, and the league just look more and more stupid.”
In other news, Tottenham lead Morgan Gibbs-White race as new details emerge.
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.