Keith Wyness, Everton’s former manager, believes Nottingham Forest’s points deduction appeal will center on Brennan Johnson’s move to Tottenham last summer (2023).
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 runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, claimed the process would be completed before the end of the season, avoiding a “unthinkable” scenario.
According to The Independent (15 April), Forest’s appeal against their four-point deduction for breaking Premier League financial regulations will be heard the week of April 22.
Forest breached the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by £34.5 million, above its authorized level of £61 million.
The Midlands club expressed their dissatisfaction with the sentence after it was imposed last month and are seeking a reduction through the appeals procedure.
Johnson joined Tottenham for a reported fee of £47.5 million on deadline day last summer (2023), after turning down multiple early-window offers.
The Nottingham Forest appeal will center on the Johnson sale, as a date has been scheduled.
Nottingham Forest’s appeal focuses on the sale of Johnson, with a deadline of June 30 to include any fee in their 2022-23 accounts.
Wyness told Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast: “I believe the timetable will have everything completed by the end of the season.
“The appeal will focus on the Brennan Johnson deal with Tottenham.
“I believe they will complete this by the end of the season.
“From a sports integrity standpoint, I don’t see how you wouldn’t have a proper points tally to rely on.
“It would be unfathomable for the best league in the world, so I’m glad we’re trying to work this out.
“But we need to make sure they do it properly and allow due process to happen with these appeals.”