It’s fair to say that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis doesn’t have Premier League chief executive Richard Masters on his speed dial.
The pair were hardly going to be sending Christmas cards to each other after the Premier League decided to take four points off of Forest last season for breaching PSR.
It was a punishment that almost robbed Forest of their Premier League status and given the issues that the club – and Everton – had, it hardly feels fit for purpose.
Discussions have been held between the Premier League clubs to amend PSR. However, given the complexities, things will remain in place for one more season.
Forest’s deduction is now firmly behind them. The club cut their cloth accordingly in the summer and have reaped the rewards out on the pitch this season.
Richard Masters reacts to supporter response after PSR punishment for Forest
The Premier League’s chief executive has been made the face of the controversial financial rules and he’s been in the dock in recent years.
Forest and Everton have felt the force of the financial regulations in recent times, and it does feel as though the whole system is somewhat flawed.
Masters is the man who referred to Everton and Forest as ‘smaller’ clubs when quizzed on some of the charges hanging over Manchester City.
Now, he’s been speaking to the Financial Times regarding the investigations carried out by the league on Forest and whether or not it’s damaged the league’s reputation.
He said: “There is no happy alternative to enforcing the rules. The Premier League will survive the impact of all of this and come through it.
“I don’t enjoy it… You just have to let it pass through you and move on.”
PSR points deduction is best thing to happen to Forest
Getting robbed of four points probably did Forest a favour. It saw the team kick on in the Premier League and eventually secure enough points to remain in the top flight.
That said, lessons were also learned by the football club and that was highlighted massively with the club enjoying a far less chaotic transfer window in the summer.
Only nine players were added to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, with two others – Marko Stamenic and David Carmo – joining but signing for Olympiacos on loan immediately.
Masters might well be public enemy number one at Everton and Forest these days. However, in the long run perhaps this incident might jus prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Reds.
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