“I think the Four-points deduction will stay as it is, They will need to get results on the pitch if they want to remain in the Premier League next season”- Ex PL CEO says Forest are likely to be unsuccessful with points deduction appeal as he urges Reds to get points on the pitch

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Nottingham Forest are unlikely to be successful with their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaking spending rules.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the Midlands club’s arguments won’t be strong enough to overturn the original verdict.

According to The Independent (15 April), Forest’s appeal against their four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) will be heard in the week commencing 22 April.

Wyness has already told Football Insider (18 April) that the appeal will likely centre around Brennan Johnson’s transfer to Tottenham – which came too late to be included in the 2022-23 accounts.

Forest exceeded PSR by £34.5million more than their permitted threshold of £61million.

Nottingham Forest arguments ‘not strong enough’ as appeal approaches, says Wyness

The Midlands club sit 17th in the table and are just one point above the drop zone following the four-point penalty with five games of this season remaining.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think the Four-points deduction will stay as it is.

“The points will stay. I think it will be a bit of a stalemate in this appeal.

“I can’t see their arguments being strong enough to get a point, or anything else, back.

“But what this appeal process will do is bring another 50-page document which will show another ruling by a different independent panel.

“With that will be potential loopholes, legal precedent – and this commission contradicting previous panels.

“But for Forest, I think their punishment will stay as it is based on everything I’ve seen.

“They will need to get results on the pitch if they want to remain in the Premier League next season.”