The barrister who represented Nottingham Forest in their Profitability & Sustainability Rules case with the Premier League believes the rules have ended up holding 'certain clubs back' - even if that was not their 'positive intention'.

Nick De Marco KC was hired by Forest after they were charged with breaching the league's spending limits, an infraction for which they were ultimately docked four points.

That jeopardised their place in the Premier League at the time, although Nuno Espirito Santo's team did pull clear of Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley - and have kicked on in a big way this season.

However, the issue of PSR is never far away and responding on X, formerly Twitter, to an article in on the subject in The Times, De Marco outlined his stance, writing: "I have never gone so far as to argue that no financial restraint rules are necessary, nor that the positive intention of the current rules is to hold certain clubs back, but that has been their effect, and despite what some have claimed the evidence does not suggest they have advanced either financial sustainability or competitive balance - the contrary could more easily be made out."

Some commentators have maintained that the current regulations restrict the amount clubs can spend which effectively means they find it difficult to bridge the gap between themselves and perennial champions Manchester City or others who have had years to increase their revenue streams in order to facilitate their transfer activity.

Forest got into hot water after exceeding their permitted losses by PS34.5m in the assessment period ending with the 2022-23 season. This covered the hectic transfer window after they were promoted from the Championship and went about recruiting with real gusto.

It is not the first time De Marco has used the platform to address the issue, indeed in May he responded to confirmation of Forest's Premier League status by writing: "First, it's worth recalling the PL originally said the starting point for the Club should have been -8 points. The Club got this down 2 by co-operation & another 2 at the hearing to 4 - it could have been much worse had the Club not done as is it did in the case.

"Second, and most importantly, despite being an indirect beneficiary of the contrary, I always believe it's far better for relegation & promotion to be determined by performances on the pitch and not legal hearings behind closed doors. Well done Nottingham Forest for doing so today."