In an attempt to avert a possible prosecution for violating Premier League regulations, Nottingham Forest has hired a renowned sports attorney.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Nottingham Forest could become the latest club to be hit with a points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. The club have already appointed top lawyer sports lawyer Nick De Marco in a bid to avoid any charge, according to The Telegraph. Forest are said to be “confident” of escaping a sanction despite signing 43 players and having spent over £250 million (€288m/$315m) in transfer fees since being promoted from the Championship in May 2022. Everton have already been hit with a 10-point deduction for a charge relating to last season and could face another sanction under a new fast-track system brought in by the Premier League, as reported by The Times.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT NOTTINGHAM FOREST?
Football finance author Kieran Maguire thinks Forest could be in trouble. He told The Times: “Nottingham Forest were very much at the limit of their Financial Fair Play allowance when they were promoted to the Premier League and that investment in new players continued in their first season, when they signed players on high wages, including some such as Jesse Lingard who didn’t work out. If you are looking for clubs close to the limit they would be at the top, in my opinion.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Premier League rules allow clubs to make a maximum loss of £105m (€121m/$132m) over a three-year period, or £35m (€40m/$44m) per season. Forest reported an annual loss of £45.6m (€52.5m/$57.5m) in their last set of accounts. The team currently sit five points outside of the relegation zone but a hefty points deduction could plunge them back into the bottom three. Everton have appealed their 10-point deduction but also appear to have been motivated by the sanction. Sean Dyche’s side currently sit 17th on 16 points after 20 games played.
WHAT NEXT?
Forest and Everton won’t have to wait long to discover their fate. The new rules mean any charges will be announced by January 14. Clubs will have a fortnight to response to any charges. A hearing will then be held by an independent commission and completed by April 8.
