Former Everton manager Keith Wyness believes Nottingham Forest will not face more points deductions after appealing their four-point punishment.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old, who was CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now operates a football consultancy that advises elite clubs, claimed Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will believe “there are grounds for further leniency.”
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team was deducted four points last week (18 March) for a single violation of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The punishment sent Forest into the relegation zone with 10 games remaining in the 2023-24 season.
As mentioned in the original independent commission report, a decision on the appeal will be issued on or before May 24 – five days after the Premier League season ends.
According to Wyness, the Nottingham Forest appeal might make the Premier League appear ‘more and more dumb’.
Meanwhile, Everton risk another points loss for violating PSR for the second time, with their hearing ending on Wednesday (27 March) and a ruling expected on April 8.
Wyness told Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast: “I said I’d be extremely shocked if they appealed, but they did, so I’ll take it.
“I just assumed the way their lawyers handled their case, combined with the two-point decrease for good behavior, indicated they wouldn’t have pursued the appeal.
“However, Marinakis believes there are grounds for more leniency.
“He believes the four-point deduction can be further decreased. I don’t believe they’re at risk of receiving a higher penalty, thus they’re safe to proceed.
“I hope they get the penalty reduced.
“It’s another appeal, commission, and ruling that will most likely contradict the precedents set by previous instances.
“The whole cycle goes on, and the league just look more and more stupid.”
