Nottingham Forest

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, David Jackson talks to the club's former chief executive Paul Faulkner about the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules after Forest's four-point deduction.

Faulkner worked at the City Ground in the 2014-15 season and was in a senior role at Aston Villa when the financial rules first came into effect during the 2015-16 campaign.

"Going way back to the days when it was called FFP, I was chief executive at Villa and we were against the introduction of the rules and voted against it," he explained.

"Ultimately we were on the wrong side of that. I think there were four or five clubs that voted against it.

"Back then the fundamental reason was a point of principle. We didn't really believe in artificial constraints on the market.

"If you have the money, you should be allowed to spend it. We were totally for stopping the situation where unscrupulous owners took advantage of football clubs or were writing cheques they couldn't afford or putting clubs at risk.

"We were saying there has got to be a different set of rules for stopping people who don't have the money from buying a club or from getting into that situation. What it didn't need was this FFP construct which felt like it would be anti-competitive.

"It felt like 'how are you going to encourage new entrants, or people to look at clubs and want to invest if you are limited in what you can do with that club on the pitch and off it?'"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

It has been a tumultuous international break for Nottingham Forest, who enter this weekend's Premier League round of fixtures in the relegation zone.

BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football has been looking into the profitability and sustainability rules that prompted the Reds' four-point deduction.

On the recent episode, David Jackson catches up with former Forest chief executive Paul Faulkner to discuss the rules and explain why he does not like them.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

We asked you to send in your memories of former Nottingham Forest defender Larry Lloyd, who has died at the age of 75.

Here are some of your replies:

Maurice: My best memory of Larry Lloyd is the 1978 League Cup final replay against Liverpool at Old Trafford. He won every ball in the air that night and we were under the cosh for 89 minutes, as we had to play with half the reserve team!

John: Larry Lloyd and Kenny Burns were our greatest-ever central defensive partnership. With Shilton behind them in goal, they were at times almost unbeatable. Larry was strong in the air and a fearsome tackler who took no prisoners. The crowd loved it when he decided to go on one of his runs upfield and he took some stopping.

Mark: He was a calming influence and a really reliable and no-nonsense defender. He could play as well as be a hard man if required. He and Kenny Burns were amazing together during that period. Sad day for all of the Forest family. Brings back memories of listening to those European nights under my bed sheets as I was supposed to be asleep.

Ian: Straightforward, no-nonsense defender and he formed an incredibly strong centre-back partnership with Kenny Burns. Apparently never afraid to speak his mind, he had his ‘moments’ with Cloughie - which regularly ended with Lloyd getting a ‘tree envelope’ containing notice of a fine. But Clough knew Lloyd’s value to the team and whenever he was fit he played!

Nigel: Like most of the players in that team he made the most of the talent he undoubtedly had. As a supporter in the stands you always knew they would give their all for the cause.

Eric: A really great player. I was very lucky to spend a match with Larry some years ago when he was commentating. A larger-than-life person in many ways. One of the Forest legends. RIP.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Sean Dyche says "everyone is wondering" why Nottingham Forest received a four-point deduction for their breach of Premier League financial rules given the Toffees were initially docked 10 points.

Everton's penalty was reduced to six points on appeal, and Forest confirmed on Tuesday they would also appeal their sanction.

The deduction moved Forest into the relegation zone, four points behind Dyche's side having played a game more.

"I don't know the minutiae of our own, let alone theirs," he said in his pre-match news conference before Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

"I can only imagine there's more depth to it, which is why they gave them those points and us ours. But in its simplest form everyone is going 'how does that work out?' But I don't know the depth involved, because there is so much that goes into it.

"The rhymes and reasons behind it will be down to the appeal situation, it's not down to me, that's for sure."

Everton are also facing a hearing into a second charge but Dyche is happy with the mindset of his players despite the possibility of a second points deduction hanging over them.

"You can't judge every person about their own psychology but the main thing is we know we're all on board with it," he added.

"It's the reality. We've dealt with it before really well.

"It's an experience nobody wants but it's the reality. The players don't seem affected at this time so we will see what it brings."

Sean Kearns
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media for the first time since the club were deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Here are the key lines from his press conference to preview the game against Crystal Palace:

• He said the four-point deduction is the "club's reality" and "the reality is we are in the relegation zone". He added: "So who are we to say if it's fair or unfair? We have to focus on what we have to do and what we have to do is on the pitch. That's the message, to forget about everything and to focus on our tasks to get out of this situation."

• On what he has told his players: "Our message is clear; forget about the past and focus on what we have to do. Stick together."

• He said the relegation fight "is in our hands" and "it is up to us to reverse that situation".

• On how confident he is about staying up, Nuno said: "Of course [I am]. The way we work, the way we play and the togetherness of the players, I see it every day and that's why I'm so confident."

• He confirmed some players have returned from international duty with "issues" but will be assessed before Saturday's game against Crystal Palace.

• On the passing of club legend Larry Lloyd: "He was one of the 'Miracle Men'. All thoughts with his family. It's a sad moment. To win two European Cups in a row is a miracle."

• On Forest coach Steven Reid receiving a two-match ban for his reaction after the defeat to Liverpool: "It was a very difficult moment for everyone. It can get very emotional and it is hard to control our feelings and thoughts. Steve feels sorry for what happened and apologised to everybody. He's a very nice person and of huge important to us."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences here

Full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live

After the death at the age of 75 of former Nottingham Forest defender Larry Lloyd, we want your memories of the double European Cup winner.

What made him such a special player for the Reds?

And where does he rank among the players in that great side?

Tell us here

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's Premier League fixture between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

• Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their seven Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace. It is the most times they have faced a side without losing and the most times the Eagles have played an opponent without winning in the competition.

• Palace have won just one of their past 12 league games against Forest - a 1-0 victory at the City Ground in the Championship in December 2011.

• The Eagles are eithout a win in their past eight league away games, their longest such run since a 10-match streak between May and December 2017.

• Crystal Palace have conceded more goals in the final five minutes of Premier League games this season than any other side (14), including in their past two matches against Tottenham and Luton Town.

• Reds striker Chris Wood is one goal away from scoring 10 in the Premier League this season, and he has netted six goals in his past seven games in the competition. It would be the fifth time he has reached double figures since 2017-18 and he would become the seventh player to do so after Mohamed Salah (seven), Son Heung-min (seven), Harry Kane (six), Jamie Vardy (five), Raheem Sterling (five) and Sadio Mane (five).

• Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta has been involved in three goals in his past four league appearances (two goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 18. His five goals this season already equals his most in a campaign in the competition in 2021-22.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace at 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League appears desperate to destroy its position as the go-to league.

Who needs competition from Serie A and La Liga when you have overcomplicated, Byzantine financial rules? Just about every club is living in fear of making an accounting error that could lead to docked points.

Nottingham Forest suffered a four-point deduction from what was a technical breach, simply because they were trying to be competitive after years away from the top table.

Everton were dealt a heftier blow and there may be more to come.

Suddenly the lawyers feel the need to go after Leicester City, who aren't in the league but could face a knockout blow if they have the audacity to get promoted.

Manchester City and Chelsea fans must be quaking in case they are next to fall foul of the financial hit men.

The rules are overcomplicated and the implementation is bizarre.

It is perfectly possible we will not know who has been relegated until rulings have been challenged.

The game is being run by people who have no love or knowledge of the sport, specifically that the 'nuclear option' of points deductions should only ever be used in extraordinary, exceptional and unusual circumstances.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Nottingham Forest's season will only really be defined by one thing - survival.

How they achieve that is the question and there are three things they might need between now and the end of the season to do so:

Clarity on points deductions

The profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) punishment makes achieving safety all the more difficult, but four points is not as bad as it could have been. More importantly, perhaps, is whether Everton receive a further points deduction - the Toffees are currently four points above the Reds with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Luton Town also have some testing games to come.

Getting goals and wins

All of that might mean nothing though if Nuno Espirito Santo cannot get his team winning again. Forest's second bad run of the season sees us with one win in nine Premier League games - just one this calendar year.

The fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood will have a big part in the run-in, and if we have at least one of the two strikers fit at any one time - and scoring goals - that will undoubtedly help a side who have real issues keeping a clean sheet.

Fighting spirit

But what Forest need the most, probably, is the togetherness, spirit and determination that we saw at the end of last season. If they can ignore all the noise, play for each other and the shirt, then they will surely turn a corner in the coming games.

Surely?

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How does the rest of your season look? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

Former Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton reflects on the club's four-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules by £34.5m on BBC World Service.

He told Sportsworld he understands the fans' "frustrations" because "Forest have had to go out and buy players to be competitive".

The latest episode of Luton In The Prem sees the team discuss news of Nottingham Forest's points deduction and its implications for the Hatters.

Forest have been deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules. The move leaves Luton 17th in the table, a place above Forest who occupy a relegation place. The Reds could yet appeal their deduction however.

Everton have already had points deducted, their penalty reduced and yet face a further possible sanction for a second breach.

"If Forest do appeal that appeal can only be heard after the Everton case is finished," said BBC Three Counties Radio's Geoff Doyle.

"Everton’s second case will now be looked at. Once that has been heard, then Forest can appeal. If I am Everton, I will co-operate as much as I can as they got two points added back on because of that. If you’re Everton now you’re thinking 'co-operate as that will get us two points back'."

BBC Three Counties' Simon Oxley added: "We still don’t know if Forest will appeal. Speaking to our colleagues at BBC Nottingham, the feeling was if they got six or more points deducted they may appeal but if it was three or four, they might just suck it up.

"Nobody seems satisfied. Forest feel harshly treated as they were trying to compete in the Premier League. Everton are saying 'how come they got four and we got six?'

"I think Rob Edwards Is right, just keep going and playing and see where we end up. I find it inconceivable we could get to the final game against Fulham, Luton doing a dance around the pitch having stayed up and then two weeks later – you’re relegated."

Has Ross Barkley played more or less minutes than Chiedozie Ogbene this season? Listen to Luton In The Prem for a higher-lower quiz on the squad.

The full episode is here

AC Milan will look to offload Belgium forward Divock Origi, 28, when the former Liverpool player returns from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest. (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

It has been an eventful week for Nottingham Forest after they were deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules. The decision means they drop into the relegation zone, below Luton Town.

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and former Forest boss Mark Warburton spoke about the implications of the punishment.

"It's a mixed reaction in terms of it being well documented that Forest and Everton faced penalties, Everton further penalties. You then have the reduction in the Everton 10 points to six," said Warburton.

"So I think, if you're a Forest fan, without being pessimistic, expecting a points deduction, six would have been the worst case, four is probably the best case and one of the best case scenarios.

"The things for me is how much of it centres around the Brennan Johnson transfer and the increase in revenue that they gained by being patient. Also I noted the comments about the tone of the response from the Premier League, which seemed to frustrate Forest, I don't know what was actually said but I just think they're expecting it. I guess, watching from afar, it's probably as good a scenario as they could have expected."

Listen to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Ham are keeping tabs on 21-year-old English winger Karamoko Dembele, who has impressed this season after joining Blackpool on loan from French club Brest. (HITC), external

An appeal by Nottingham Forest against their four-point deduction for breaching financial rules could risk the punishment being increased. (Times - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Forest face having to sell one of their star players by the end of June to avoid another points deduction for breaching financial rules next season. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
Senior football news reporter

The talk is focused on any possible Nottingham Forest appeal after their four-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules, but what about the Premier League?

BBC Sport understands any Premier League appeal against the punishment handed out by the independent commission on Monday is highly unlikely.

The written reasons showed the league eyed a six-point penalty - and potentially eight points to reflect that Forest had broken the threshold much more than Everton.

Their £34.5m breach was much greater than Everton’s £19.5m - with the Toffees receiving a six-point deduction, reduced after their initial 10-point penalty in November.

Forest’s early plea and co-operation during the process also helped their case, with the punishment reduced by two points.