Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham rivals challenge Premier League decision, official statement made

Nottingham Forest have confirmed they will appeal their four-point deduction that plunged them into the Premier League relegation zone.

An independent commission found the Tricky Trees guilty of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Top-flight clubs are only allowed to incur losses of £105million over a three-year period.

Everton were also charged - placing them at risk of a seconds points deduction this season. The Toffees were slapped with a 10-point penalty - reduced to six on appeal - and are currently pleading their case again, with a three-day hearing set to conclude on Wednesday.

Forest released a scathing attack on the Premier League last month, claiming their “trust and confidence” had been “harmed” following the charge. The press release read: "Nottingham Forest is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Commission to impose a sanction on the club of four points, to be applied with immediate effect. Notwithstanding our disappointment, we thank the Commission for agreeing to deal with this matter on an expedited basis.

“We were extremely dismayed by the tone and content of the Premier League’s submissions before the Commission. After months of engagement and exceptional cooperation throughout, this was unexpected and has harmed the trust and confidence we had in the Premier League.

"Of wider concern for all aspirant clubs is the disturbing effect this decision will have on the operation of the player trading model. This is the only model by which clubs outside of the small group at the very top end of the Premier League can realistically advance up the football pyramid.”

As expected, Forest have announced they will appeal the decision but made no further comment. The Tricky Trees were only able to suffer losses of £61million over three years due to spending two seasons in the Championship.