Former Everton executive Keith Wyness believes Nottingham Forest’s appeal against a four-point deduction for financial breaches is unlikely to succeed.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Keith Wyness, the 66-year-old former CEO of Everton and current head of a football consultancy serving elite clubs, expressed doubt regarding Nottingham Forest’s chances of success in their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Wyness, who oversaw operations at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009, suggested that the arguments put forth by the Midlands club might not be robust enough to overturn the initial ruling. The Independent reported on April 15th that Forest’s appeal against the deduction would be heard during the week commencing April 22nd.
Wyness, in a conversation with Football Insider on April 18th, indicated that the appeal is likely to focus on Brennan Johnson’s transfer to Tottenham, which occurred after the closure of the 2022-23 accounting period. Forest’s breach of the PSR amounted to £34.5 million over the permitted threshold of £61 million.
Wyness suggests Nottingham Forest’s arguments lack strength as appeal nears.
With the deduction, Nottingham Forest currently occupies the 17th position in the league table, precariously positioned just one point above the relegation zone, with five matches remaining in the season. Speaking on Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast, Wyness expressed his belief that the original four-point penalty imposed on the club is likely to remain unchanged.
“The points will remain unchanged. I anticipate a standstill in this appeal,” Wyness stated. “I don’t foresee their arguments being robust enough to warrant a point or any other form of compensation. However, this appeal process will introduce another extensive document, likely around 50 pages, outlining a ruling by a separate independent panel. Within this document, there may be potential loopholes, legal precedents, and contradictions to previous panel decisions. Nevertheless, based on my observations, I believe Forest’s punishment will remain unchanged.”