Now in relegation zone
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Nottingham Forest have received a four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, plunging them into the relegation zone, one point adrift from safety. Forest seem likely to appeal, and Luton, who Forest drew 1-1 with on Saturday, are now out of the bottom three due to the punishment. The midlands team are the second Premier League side to be be docked points this season, following Everton having their original 10 point deduction shortened to six docked points last month. It also gives renewed hope to struggling Burnley and Sheffield United, who are now just five and eight points off of safety respectively.
Forest admitted to the breach, but their defence was based around extenuating circumstances around the sale of Brennan Johnson. The club received a €35m offer from Brentford early last summer but the forward was unwilling to move and Forest felt they could get more money for their star asset if they waited beyond the June 30 PSR deadline. Johnson was sold for €55m to Tottenham in September but an independent panel did not accept this defence.
Premier League clubs are allowed to lose £105m (€122.77m) over a three-year period. However, Forest’s permitted losses were limited to £61m (€71.32m) because they spent two years of that period in the Championship. This was another area of their defence, with the club claiming they were hamstrung after being promoted because investment in the squad is vital to challenge at a higher level against more established richer teams.
Premier League statement: “An independent Commission has applied an immediate four-point deduction to Nottingham Forest FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) for the period ending Season 2022/23. Nottingham Forest was referred to an independent Commission on January 15, following an admission by the club that it had breached the relevant PSR threshold of £61 million by £34.5 million. The threshold was lower than £105 million as the club spent two seasons of the assessment period in the EFL Championship.
“The case was heard in accordance with new Premier League Rules, which provide an expedited timetable for PSR cases to be resolved in the same season the complaint is issued. The independent Commission determined the sanction following a two-day hearing this month, at which the club had the opportunity to detail a range of mitigating factors. The Commission found that the club had demonstrated “exceptional cooperation” in its dealings with the Premier League throughout the process.”
Nottingham Forest’s player spending & sales from 2020/21 to 2022/23
When it comes to Forest incomings, they have spent €225.38m in the last three seasons, with most of that money spent last season, where they forked out €195.25m on new arrivals. Their most lucrative signings were for Morgan Gibbs-White (€29.5m), Taiwo Awoniyi (€20.5m), Nico Williams (€20m) and Danilo (€20m). In that same period they recouped just €39.63m from players sold. Leaving the Midlands club with a net spend of -€185.75m. Their current squad value is €369.65m.
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