“We don’t know exactly how many points we have if it’s 26, 28, 30, having clarity will make a big difference, We are all waiting on that decision” – Nuno gives update on Forest FFP appeal hearing as Reds await points deduction verdict after Man City loss

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo expects to hear the outcome of Nottingham Forest’s appeal against their points deduction in the coming days.

Last month, the Reds were docked four points for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The club appealed against the punishment and were back in front of an independent commission on Wednesday for their appeal hearing.

A decision is expected within a week, meaning Forest could discover the verdict by the middle of this coming week. And for Nuno, clarity on the situation cannot come soon enough.

“We are all waiting on that decision. Hopefully it is very soon so we can deal again with the reality,” said the Portuguese after his team’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

“We don’t know exactly how many points we have – if it’s 26, 28, 30. Let’s wait and see. It having clarity will make a big difference – for everybody, not only us but for all of the league.”

With three games to go, the Reds remain just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. But they should take plenty of encouragement from a positive performance against title-challengers City.

Missed chances proved costly for the hosts at the City Ground. Goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland clinched the three points for Pep Guardiola’s team.

“We must believe in what we are doing and realise the importance of what we have ahead of us,” Nuno added.

“We have to take the positives from this game. The attitude was very good and the players worked very hard. The support of the fans, even when we didn’t have the ball – they kept encouraging us to go – we must stick with that and prepare well for the next one against Sheffield United.”