Luton fate unchanged as Forest fail in appeal against four-point Premier League penalty

Luton Town have not been further disadvantaged by Nottingham Forest’s points deduction appeal after it was rejected. 

The Reds were docked four points for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) have overspent by £34.5million over a three-year period.

Forest could have been handed a six-point penalty but this was reduced to four for reportedly “excellent co-operation”.

Their appeal was heard on April 24 and there was criticism for the length of time to announce the decision, but the original punishment has been upheld by an independent commission.

A statement from the Premier League said: “An independent appeal board has upheld the decision of a commission to deduct four points from Nottingham Forest following an admitted breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

“The PSR sanction applied to the assessment period ending season 2022/23 and was appealed by the club on two grounds. The club argued that the independent commission committed an error in not treating its sale of a high-profile player shortly after the assessment period as a mitigating factor, and that it committed a further error in electing not to suspend some or all of the points deduction it imposed.

“Each of these grounds was rejected by the appeal board, which found the independent commission was entitled to immediately impose the sanction it did. The four-point deduction will therefore remain in place.”

It means Luton remain in the Premier League relegation zone, three points adrift of Forest and safety, with two games left to play.

Town travel to West Ham United on Saturday after the Hammers lost 5-0 to Chelsea and announced announced that manager David Moyes will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract runs out, with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui set to replace him.

Forest host a resurgent Chelsea side that is vying for European qualification, so the Hatters realistically need to better the Reds’ result at the weekend to take the relegation fight to the final day. 

If that happens, Luton host Fulham, while Forest travel to Burnley who, sit below Town and five points from safety, so still currently have an outside hope of survival, with a trip to Spurs on Saturday