Former Everton manager Keith Wyness claims Nottingham Forest may have a “side deal” with the Premier League that guarantees they will not appeal their four-point deduction.
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 advising elite clubs, indicated the Midlands club’s angry statement on Monday (18 March) was “for show”.
Nottingham Forest responded to the reduction earlier this week, saying they are “extremely dismayed” by the independent commission’s decision to penalize points.
They stated that the decision “harmed the trust and confidence” of the club in the Premier League.
Forest confessed breaking the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) by spending £34.5 million more than their permissible loss level of £61 million.
“I’d be very surprised if Nottingham Forest appealed,” adds Wyness.
The club has not confirmed its intention to appeal, and Wyness says he would be “very surprised” if they do.
He said on Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast: “What interests me is whether Forest will appeal.
“They have seven days to decide. They issued a very angry statement when the decision was made, but I believe they will not appeal.
“They may have reached an agreement with the Premier League to reduce the deduction to four points on the condition that they do not appeal.
“I think there is something going on here.
“The comment appeared to me to be for show. I’d be quite surprised if they appealed. I could be mistaken, but I would be really shocked.
“Their lawyer, Nick De Marco KC, set out their case very well and I’d be very surprised if he was recommending an appeal.”
