Nuno Espirito Santo: Points deductions have left Premier League in a ‘mess’
Nuno Espirito Santo has only one thing on his mind: staying up – Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Nuno Espirito Santo insists the integrity of the Premier League has been damaged by the “mess” of this season’s points deductions.
With Nottingham Forest expecting to hear the outcome of their appeal over a four-point deduction this week, the Premier League is facing a potential nightmare scenario unfolding in this season’s relegation battle.
Forest are hopeful of having their sanction reduced by at least one point and that would effectively relegate Burnley without a ball being kicked.
Burnley suffered their 22nd defeat of the season on Saturday and are currently five points behind Forest with an inferior goal difference. Should Forest be given two points back – which was the outcome for Everton when they contested their first points deduction – they would only need a draw from their final two games to relegate 18th-placed Luton.
Though the appeal verdict will be decided by an independent commission, Forest’s head coach Nuno believes the Premier League had time to avoid such a complicated end to the season.
“[The hearing verdict] should have been done before this weekend,” he said. “People have spoken about the integrity of the league and it’s not good for anyone. They have to get it right. I think [the Premier League] had time to avoid what might happen. It is a mess.
“We are waiting to see the final decisions and see if we have 33, 32, 31 or 30 points. This is what we have to know, and for our opponents also.”
Forest moved three points clear of Luton after their 3-1 win at already relegated Sheffield United. It means that Nuno can virtually guarantee survival this Saturday if his team can beat Chelsea, with Luton also possessing a poor goal difference. Forest face Burnley away on the final day.
Though Ben Brereton Diaz gave Sheffield United the lead from the penalty spot, Forest responded with two goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and a first Premier League strike for Ryan Yates.
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