Sport nationTalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has provided some insight into why Nottingham Forest may face a more lenient punishment than Everton for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations.
Both clubs have been charged by the league for sustaining losses above the permitted threshold over a three-year assessment period ending with the 2022/23 season. Under the rules, clubs are allowed to lose a maximum of £105 million over that timeframe.
Everton, who are already appealing a 10-point deduction for a previous breach, could be hit with further sanctions. However, Crook believes Forest’s approach since the charges were announced may work in their favor when it comes to the severity of their punishment.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, he explained: “I think it depends on the severity of the points deduction. If you look at the way Forest have approached this, they have been a lot less confrontational than Everton were – even in the wording of the statement when they were penalised, it was a very short statement.
“Whereas Everton right away were right on the front foot against the Premier League, Andy Burnham was involved, a big Everton fan from the off as well.
“I think Forest have tried to do this as peacefully as possible hoping that might help when that judgement comes, and if it’s a two-point penalty that keeps them above the bottom three, so they might decide to take their punishment.”
Crook’s comments suggest that Forest’s more conciliatory approach, in contrast to Everton’s combative stance, could lead to a more favorable outcome when the independent commission appointed by the Premier League determines the appropriate sanctions.
Everton’s statement in response to the charges was strongly worded, with the club expressing their shock and disappointment at being referred again for alleged breaches covering some of the same financial periods for which they had already been sanctioned[1]. They described the situation as resulting from “a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules”[1].
In comparison, Forest’s statement was much more brief and measured, simply acknowledging the charges and stating their intention to “continue to cooperate fully with the Premier League on this matter” and their confidence in “a speedy and fair resolution”[1].
This difference in tone and approach could be significant, as the Premier League’s rules do not prevent clubs from being sanctioned twice for breaches in the same financial periods, unlike other governing bodies such as the EFL[1]. As a result, Everton find themselves in the unprecedented position of having to defend themselves against new charges before their appeal against the previous punishment has even been heard[1].
Forest, on the other hand, by choosing not to go on the offensive and instead working collaboratively with the league, may have put themselves in a better position to receive a more lenient sanction, such as a smaller points deduction that would not drop them into the relegation zone.
The timing of the disciplinary process is also a factor, with Crook noting that due to the Premier League’s rules, a final decision on any appeal must be made by May 25, the date of the league’s annual general meeting[1]. This means there is a possibility, however unlikely, that the final relegation places may not be confirmed until after the last round of fixtures.
For Forest, the ideal scenario would be a swift resolution and a points deduction that does not jeopardize their Premier League status. With the club currently sitting just above the bottom three, a deduction of three points or less would keep them out of the drop zone, whereas anything more would pile the pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the crucial final weeks of the season.
Other clubs involved in the relegation battle, such as Brentford, Luton Town, and Everton themselves, will no doubt be hoping the Premier League takes a hard line with Forest. But Crook’s insight suggests that the East Midlands club’s less confrontational approach could pay dividends when it comes to the severity of their punishment.
Ultimately, Forest will be desperate for a positive outcome and to put this issue behind them as soon as possible. The uncertainty has been hanging over the club for months, and a resolution would allow them to focus fully on their on-pitch battle for survival.
While Crook’s comments will provide some hope for Forest fans ahead of the commission’s ruling, the club’s fate remains in the balance. The Premier League’s disciplinary process is notoriously unpredictable, and there are no guarantees that Forest’s more conciliatory approach will result in a more lenient sanction.
What is clear is that the club’s behavior and cooperation since the charges were announced could be a significant factor in the commission’s decision-making process. By choosing not to go on the offensive and instead working collaboratively with the league, Forest may have given themselves the best possible chance of avoiding a points deduction that could have catastrophic consequences for their season.
For now, all Forest can do is wait and hope that their approach pays off. The coming weeks will be crucial, both on and off the pitch, as the club fights to secure its Premier League status and avoid becoming another cautionary tale in the world of football finance.
Citations:
[1] https://www.nottinghamforest.news/2024/03/18/alex-crook-shares-why-he-thinks-nottingham-forest-could-get-less-points-deducted-than-everton/
[2] https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/profit-and-sustainability-regulations-explained-how-everton-and-nottingham-forest-allegedly-broke-pl-rules/
[3] https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38944119/everton-premier-league-points-deduction-charges-explained
[4] https://talksport.com/football/1765683/everton-nottingham-forest-points-deduction-psr-rules/
[5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveprice/2024/01/15/how-premier-league-rules-prevent-profitability-and-sustainability/?sh=4052646082c2
[6] https://theathletic.com/5071224/2023/11/18/everton-10-point-penalty-explained/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLYkoVjWJuU
[8] https://theathletic.com/5197937/2024/01/15/everton-nottingham-forest-ffp-breach/
[9] https://www.blakemorgan.co.uk/sticky-toffees-why-everton-were-docked-10-points/
[10] https://www.everton.news/what-nottingham-forest-are-doing-very-differently-to-everton-amid-ffp-worries-right-now/
[11] https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/premier-league-profit-sustainability-rules-financial-fair-play/42ef3c1a91043e191482250d
[12] https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/everton-lodge-appeal-against-premier-league-points-deduction-2023-12-01/
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOl3T0pgCis
[14] https://swissramble.substack.com/p/nottingham-forests-ffp-issues
[15] https://talksport.com/football/1764643/everton-nottingham-forest-premier-league-points-deduction/
[16] https://theathletic.com/5176475/2024/01/03/nottingham-forest-profit-sustainability-points-deduction/
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UORLwRuz8U8
[18] https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/everton-nottingham-forest-charged-by-premier-league-for-financial-breaches
[19] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATiCX48QMnE
[20] https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2023-2024/everton-and-nottingham-forest-charged-with-breaching-premier-league-financial-rules_sto9964500/story.shtml
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