Nottingham Forest’s head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed his concern over the detrimental impact of the uncertainty surrounding the club’s Premier League fate on his players.
Forest are currently facing a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules, and they have appealed against this decision. The appeal hearing is scheduled for April 24th, with no immediate decision expected thereafter.
The club’s Premier League status hangs in the balance, as they are just one point above the relegation zone. However, they risk dropping into the bottom three if Luton beat Brentford on Saturday. Nuno believes that the ongoing uncertainty is disrupting the squad’s harmony and focus.
He highlighted the challenges of managing the team amidst such uncertainty, stating that not knowing the exact number of points they have due to the pending appeal creates additional pressure and distraction.
Forest’s four-point deduction stemmed from breaches of financial regulations, with losses exceeding the permissible threshold. The ongoing appeal process adds to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future.
Nuno emphasized that discussions about the appeal are ongoing at the training ground, contributing to distractions for the players. Premier League rules stipulate a maximum allowable loss over three seasons, with Forest’s situation complicated by their recent promotion from the Championship.
The appeal will be heard by an independent commission, and the timeframe for a decision remains uncertain. Everton, who are also appealing against a points deduction for a PSR breach, face similar challenges.