Nottingham Forest and Everton’s points deductions for breaching Premier League financial rules has been branded “nonsense” by one of their relegation rivals despite benefitting from the punishment.
Luton Town have moved out of the bottom three after Forest’s four-point penalty but winger Andros Townsend believes the deductions, along with Everton being docked six points, has created uncertainty in the top flight this season.
Townsend, 32, who was released by Everton last summer has played in 24 matches for Luton this season and played in the 1-1 draw against Forest before the international break. But two days later Luton moved out of the drop zone after Forest’s four-point penalty was announced.
Forest have launched an appeal which has added to the uncertainty over how this season will be impacted, with Everton having their initial 10-point sanction reduced.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Everton have got points back, Forest are appealing and may get points back, Everton may get more points [deducted] – who knows…” said Townsend on the BBC’ Radio 5 Live.
“It all may get wrapped up the week before the end of the season. It’s all nonsense to be honest. Psychologically, if you’re above the relegation zone, you’re thinking a point is enough to keep you above the relegation zone.
“Then a week later you’re back in the relegation zone because teams have got their points back. For me, it makes a mockery of the Premier League [and] what is the best league in the world.”
Under Premier League rules, the appeals process should “conclude no later than and if possible some time before 24 May”, which is in the final week of the season, although Forest’s case is expected to be resolved before then.
Forest made their feelings clear on the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) punishment, issuing a strong statement
outlining how they were “extremely dismayed” with the verdict.
Clubs are allowed to lose £105 million over three seasons, but Forest’s maximum loss was only permitted to be £61 million because they spent two years of the assessment period in the Championship. Following talks between sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC and Forest officials, it has now been decided that the club will contest the punishment.
