Nottingham Forest appeal against four-point penalty for PSR breach after dropping into relegation zone

Nottingham Forest have appealed against their four-point penalty for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Forest dropped into the relegation zone last week after the deduction saw them fall behind Luton Town.

The club said they were "extremely disappointed with the decision" and have now decided to appeal.

A statement from Forest said: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that it has today lodged an appeal against the four-point sanction imposed by the commission in relation to the club’s breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

“The club will not be making any further statement at this time."

Forest were given the four-point penalty after it was ruled by an independent commission that they exceeded the £61 million yearly loss threshold by £34.5m.

The deduction saw Forest drop from 25 points to 21 and slip to 18th place in the Premier League.

Forest are the second side to have a points deduction relating to PSR in this season's Premier League, with Everton receiving a 10-point sanction back in November. That was reduced to six points in February after the Toffees appealed.

If Forest’s appeal process takes a similar length of time then the season could be finished before any verdict is announced.

In their statement last week, Forest said they were “dismayed by the tone and content of the Premier League’s submissions before the commission”.

"After months of engagement with the Premier League, and exceptional cooperation throughout, this was unexpected and has harmed the trust and confidence we had in the Premier League," it said.

"That the Premier League sought a sanction of eight points as a starting point was utterly disproportionate when compared to the nine points that their own rules prescribe for insolvency.

"We believe that the high levels of cooperation the club has shown during this process, and which are confirmed and recorded in the commission's decision, were not reciprocated by the Premier League."

Forest are next in league action on March 30, when they take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground.

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