Saturday’s briefing: Forest on brink of safety after crushing Sunderland

Nottingham Forest are a step closer to Premier League survival after hammering Sunderland 5-0 at the Stadium of Light.

An allegation of racism towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was found not proven by UEFA.

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Rodri will not play in Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday after going off injured against Arsenal.

Forest thrash Sunderland to boost survival hopes

Morgan Gibbs-White inspired Nottingham Forest again to ease themselves further clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a stunning 5-0 victory at Sunderland.

The 26-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Burnley, starred in a first-half rout as the Europa League semi-finalists established an eight-point gap to 18th-placed Tottenham, who only have five games left to play.

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Aided and abetted by a shambolic defensive performance by Regis Le Bris’ men, Forest put the game to bed before the kettle for the half-time tea had even been filled with Trai Hume’s unfortunate own goal sparking a spectacular collapse amid which Chris Wood, Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus all scored inside six minutes before Elliot Anderson added a fifth at the death.

In the process, they extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games and inflicted the Black Cats’ heaviest defeat since their return to the top flight as they conceded four in successive fixtures, prompting a rare, if mercifully short, chorus of boos at the break.

Prestianni racism allegation found not proven

An allegation of racism towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr by Benfica’s Prestianni was found not proven by UEFA, with the Argentinian effectively given a two-match ban after admitting using homophobic language towards the Brazilian during a Champions League match in February.

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UEFA announced on Friday afternoon that Prestianni had been given a six-match ban for homophobic conduct. Three of those matches are suspended for two years and one has already been served after a provisional ban imposed for the return match between the sides on February 25 was included within this sanction.

The Press Association understands Prestianni admitted using a homophobic slur within UEFA’s investigation, with the allegation that racist language was used found not proven by UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB).

Prestianni covered his mouth when speaking to Vinicius during the game in Lisbon on February 17, making it harder to determine what was said.

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That incident prompted FIFA to bring forward a proposal for a law change at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets football’s laws, on February 28.

Rodri out of semi-final for City

Rodri will not play in Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday.

The Spanish midfielder missed City’s victory at Burnley on Wednesday after being forced off late in the previous game against Arsenal with a groin problem.

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With City chasing the Premier League title, manager Pep Guardiola is unwilling to take a chance on the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner at Wembley.

The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks to have beset the 29-year-old since he suffered a serious knee injury early last season and the focus is on proving his fitness for the trip to Everton on May 4.

West Brom docked points for financial breaches

West Brom have been docked two points after found to have breached the EFL’s financial rules.

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The decision leaves Albion six points above the Championship relegation zone with two matches to play, meaning they could be caught if they lose both their remaining games.

The EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) alleged the club had exceeded the permitted losses of £39million over the three-year period up to the end of the 2024-25 season.

The independent Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP) determined that the upper loss threshold had been breached and applied the penalty.

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West Brom immediately released a statement saying they were considering their options regarding an appeal but added: “For now, we will settle this on the pitch.”

What’s on today?

Manchester City face Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Arsenal have the chance to usurp City at the Premier League summit when they play Newcastle in one of five top-flight fixtures.

Ipswich can move closer to promotion from the Championship when they visit West Brom on a busy day in the second tier.

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