Nottingham Forest receive four-point deduction, slip into relegation zone

Nottingham Forest have received a four-point deduction for breaching Premier League profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) — plunging the club into the relegation zone, according to UK media reports.

The official confirmation about the deduction is likely to be announced by the Premier League later on Monday (Mar 18). The decision means Forest, who are currently on the 17th spot with 25 points, will slip to 18th, below Luton Town, with 21 points.

Burnley remain in 19th and are four points behind Forest with 10 games remaining, while Sheffield United are seven. With only nine matches remaining in the season, the points deduction could have serious ramifications for the club.

Second club to face points deduction

Forest are the second top-flight team after Everton to have been penalised for PSR breaches. The Merseyside team was handed a 10-point deduction in November which was reduced to six after a successful appeal.

The decision comes after Forest had a hearing on March 7 and 8. The club is likely to appeal the ruling for a softer punishment.

Since being promoted to the Premier League in May 2022, Forest have signed 42 players, spending a record £250 million ($318 million) in the process. The extravagant spending allowed the club to stay in the league last season and kept them above the relegation zone up until matchweek 30.

Also read | Leicester City at risk of points deduction for breaching profit and sustainability regulations

According to PSR rules, the clubs are only allowed to lose £105 million ($133.6 million) over a three-year period but Forest’s permitted losses were limited to £61 million ($77.6mn) because they spent two years of that period in the Championship.

The club was referred to an independent