Another points deduction

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Head Start

Premier League

It’s happened again… more points deducted

Yesterday, Nottingham Forest were given a four-point deduction that has - well - plunged them into the relegation zone. 

The Premier League pushed for an eight-point deduction. But the independent commission only handed a four-point deduction. 

Why were they deducted points? 

• Forest breached the PSR threshold of £61 million by £34.5 million. 

• The usual threshold of £105 million was lower because the club had spent two seasons of the assessment period in the EFL.

Look, it’s obviously not a great outcome for Forest or their fans (club statement).

But… we can’t help but think that Everton fans should feel the most hard done by. 

The Toffees were given a 10-point deduction (wild!), reduced to six on appeal, for a £19.5 million overspend. 

Yet, the commission believed Forest were worthy of the same punishment (even with a £34.5 million overspend) but said a six-point loss was reduced to four owing to the club’s “early plea and the cooperation together”. 

Everton also overspent due to building a Euro 2028 venue - not because they were signing new players. 

It really goes to show just how out of proportion the initial 10-point deduction was… and ultimately how the league and commission are making up the rules and sanctions as they go.

Anyway, we managed to get live footage of the point deduction decision…

Premier League & EFL

Regulator incoming

What do you get when you mix:

• A failed European Super League attempt.

• A shelved £900 million EFL support plan and…

• … some football disgruntled EFL clubs?

A cracking Friday night? No.

The answer: An independent football regulator. 

Accrington Stanley’s chairman Tweeted (or X’ed?) an email yesterday that said a government Bill will be published which will look at introducing:

1. Financial protection for smaller clubs.

2. Prevent bigger teams from joining breakaway tournaments. 

3. An independent regulator.

Frankly, we don’t know how reliable AS’s chairman is. But he seemed to be certain… so we’ll keep an eye out today.

Either way, the Bill won’t be law immediately. The details still need to be debated and passed through parliament… 

… and whether the Bill will get through parliament before the next general election is called is another question. 

Simon Jordan, former Crystal Palace owner has previously blasted the idea of a regulator in football. He argued that commentators like Gary Neville only support the idea because it helps land them a role within the new government structure.

Plus…

Arsenal’s Gabriel will miss Brazil’s friendlies against England on Saturday and Spain next week due to an injury (More)

Blackburn Rovers released a statement to say that Venky’s court case won’t impact funding (More)

The WSL’s cumulative attendance record was broken this season with six rounds of fixtures still outstanding (More)

FPL Therapy

We don’t have to tell you that Gameweek 29 was tough. But, don’t sweat it, everyone had a tough time. 

How tough? You might ask… well, Gameweek 29 had the lowest average points on record - and by quite some distance.

Here are the top three lowest averages in recent FPL seasons:

• 2023/24 - 12 (GW29)

• 2022/23 - 33 (GW28)

• 2021/22 - 28 (GW30)

Rest up during the international break… we’re gonna need it.

Off The Pitch

World News

🤝 Former United States president visits Downing Street for a surprise meeting with No 10 (More)

🎨 Banksy confirms he is behind the north London tree street art (More)

💰 HMRC are reported to be in discussions with Manchester United regarding historic arrangements with players and agents. This could result in a significant unpaid tax bill and damage their ability to spend in this summer transfer market… watch this space (More)

👴 A mysterious 18,000-year-old Roman statue was discovered by a construction worker at Burghley House (More)

⛳️ Scottie Scheffler has broken the PGA Tour’s single-season prize money record not once, but twice in a row - 2023: $21 million (More)

🎬 Timothee Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in new biopic (More)

Extra Time

Fenerbahce’s board members weren’t happy during the game against Trabzonspor. So angry, in fact, that they threw porcelain cups at fans… eesh… 

…and here’s a picture of a fan attacking Mert Mulder with a corner flag. 

England, France and Norway all revealed their new kits yesterday. A beautiful collection by Nike we must say… but England’s kit will set you back £124.99.

Kylian Mbappé might be leaving PSG this summer. But he’s still scoring worldies for the Parisian side. 

Scoring for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid must be an indescribable feeling… and so is hitting your knee into the ground when you celebrate…

Outrageous or adorable? A young Coventry fan storms the pitch after their FA Cup win, rallies the crowd and leaves with a shirt, a moment he will never forget.

On Today

FOOTBALL 

Womens UEFA Champions League: Ajax v Chelsea Ladies (17:45 GMT, TNT Sports and DAZN)

Womens UEFA Champions League: Benfica v Lyon Ladies (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports and DAZN)

National League: Barnet v Eastleigh (19:45 GMT, National League TV)

TENNIS

Miami Open: Multiple Matches (15:00 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)

GOLF

Players Championship: Multiple Matches (15:00 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)

SNOOKER

World Open Snooker: Multiple Matches (06:30 and 11:30 GMT, Discovery +)

BASKETBALL

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets (01:00 GMT, TNT Sports 1) 

HOCKEY

NHL: Multiple Matches (23:00 GMT, Viaplay)

*EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Correction On Yesterday’s Edition

Thanks to those who pointed out our mistakes in yesterday’s edition. It was in fact Liverpool who went 3-2 in extra-time and Rashford who equalised to make it 3-3. It was a mistake, sure. But at least we don’t think Liverpool are still on course for the Champions League - ey, Sky Sports News. ;) 

“We didn’t underestimate them. They were just better than we thought.”

-Bobby Robson