Nottingham Forest have been docked four points by the Premier League following an independent commission into their breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, becoming the second club behind Everton to fall foul of the top flight‘s spending limits.
The East Midlands club admitted to breaching the permitted threshold for the 2022-23 season by £34.5m, a full £15m more than Everton’s breach from the previous financial year for which the Blues were initially deducted 10 points, later reduced to six.
However, the three-person commission that ruled on Forest’s breach accepted two of that club’s claims to mitigation, specifically that they “(a) admitted the complaint in full at the first opportunity, and (b) cooperated extensively with the Premier League before and during the disciplinary process.”
The ruling means that Nottingham Forest drop into the relegation zone below Luton Town, four points behind Everton who remain in 16th and are subject to a second independent commission of their own.
Forest are said to be considering an appeal into their sanction which must be lodged within seven days and heard by 15 April, while a verdict on Everton’s second PSR breach is expected by 8 April.
All appeal processes must be wrapped up by 24 May to enable the Premier League to finalise the 20 clubs that will compete in the top flight in the 2024-25 season.