When Everton received a 10 point deduction in late November, the football world was in shock, that the deduction was so large. After it was downgraded to 6 points, the general assumption was that this would become the benchmark. So why have Nottingham Forest been given a 4 point deduction this week? I’m not sure.
Everton fans certainly have the right to be frustrated by this week’s news, they previously included the line ‘You Don’t Know What You’re Doing’ in their protests and cards at Goodison Park. This has only been emphasised by the 4 point deduction, as Nottingham Forest did breach Profit and Sustainability rules to a greater extent than Everton did. Everton fans will hope this means a lesser sentence when their second points deduction comes around, with the court hearing taking place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week.
Nottingham Forest now sit in the relegation zone, taking Luton’s 18th place in the table. They have entered the relegation zone for the first time this season. While both Forest and Everton still have enough in them to survive, they are both firmly in this relegation fight as a result of their punishments. The league should be decided on the pitch rather than off it.
It is worth noting that the uncertainty around points (taken away as well as given back) and league positions has a massive impact on a number of teams. For the majority of the season, Brentford, Luton and even Burnley also have had no idea how safe or otherwise their Premier League status is. That’s exhausting for so many players and staff etc, as well as the subsequent impacts on their families.
While I don’t fully comprehend the ins and outs of either team’s breaches, I do not believe it is fair that any club should receive a points deduction, least of all two in one season or a starting one of 10 points. Break the rules, get punished? Of course. Points deducted? Never.