Everton's point deduction: The Premier League can only come to one conclusion based on the Commission's Nottingham Forest explanation.

The latest protest signs to be displayed by Everton supporters campaigning against the treatment of the club by the Premier League. Image: @The1878s

Nottingham Forest have been deducted four points by the Premier League after breaching profit and sustainability rules.

And it’s led to questions about how Forest have avoided as severe a sanction as Everton, who were initially deducted 10 points before it was reduced to six by an appeal board.

Forest’s breach came in at £34.5m, while Everton’s was at £19.5m. The Blues are also facing a second charge. Our panel give their thoughts on the case.

So we have another chunky report from the Premier League to digest and the signs are that it’s going to leave more bitter aftertaste.

The rationale for Nottingham Forest’s four-point deduction from the Premier League’s independent panel only serves to add to the farcical feeling around Profit and Sustainability breach punishments.

Forest were confirmed to have breached by more than the Blues and yet their sanction is six points less than Everton’s initial deduction and two points less than the eventual outcome on appeal.

The commission’s verdict that Everton provided ‘false information’ also leads to more questions. After all, as part of the Blues’ appeal, which is referenced throughout the most recent report pertaining to Forest, the notion that Everton acted in bad faith was dismissed.

In the coming days, perhaps more context will surface as to how and why Forest’s punishment was calculated in comparison to Everton’s. It could yet be reduced again should they decide to appeal.

However, Evertonians have been left with an all too familiar feeling. Once again it would appear the club have been considered an easy target to make an example of. As things stand, it’s tough for supporters to understand why – perhaps the commission aren’t entirely sure themselves?

Joe Rimmer – Commission ruling only increases confusion

If the Premier League had any hope of earning back any trust from supporters then that might have evaporated with the latest written reasons for Nottingham Forest’s points deduction.

Working out the rationale for Everton’s initial 10-point charge and subsequent reduction on appeal was hard enough, but this decision to take just four points from Forest for what is a bigger overspend is, quite simply, mind boggling.

The written reasons cite Forest’s cooperation and ‘incorrect information’ provided by Everton in their own case, yet the recent appeal board seemingly dismissed any idea that the Blues purposely misled the Premier League. Meanwhile, the reasons also admit to ‘not knowing’ how the appeal board deciding on Everton’s case came to an ‘extra three points’ – which begs the question how it can all be a joined up process?

Elsewhere, the ruling refers to “breach bands” and attempts to place Forest’s into a band with a breakdown of how they arrived at their points deduction. Where were such bands when Everton’s breach was announced and explained?

I’m all for regulation but if the Premier League cannot explain or properly apply their own rules then how can they expect anyone else to follow or understand them? At this point, an independent regulator can be the only way out of this mess.