Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis sues Crystal Palace over banner
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has lodged a defamation claim against Crystal Palace in the High Court over an offensive banner.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Evangelos Marinakis has launched legal action against Crystal Palace in the High Court on Monday
- The lawsuit follows a banner depicting Marinakis holding a gun to midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White
- The FA previously charged Palace in November 2025 over supporter behavior issues
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is taking legal action against Crystal Palace over a banner displayed by their supporters that depicted the Greek businessman holding a gun to the head of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
Lawyers representing Marinakis lodged the defamation claim in the High Court on Monday, naming CPFC Limited as one of the two defendants. The controversial banner was spotted during a 1-1 Premier League draw between the two clubs at Selhurst Park last August.
The banner featured the text: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption." Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding such allegations throughout.
This legal dispute underscores the growing legal and regulatory pressures on English football clubs regarding stadium security and fan conduct. Clubs can face severe disciplinary actions from football authorities if they fail to prevent supporters from displaying offensive, defamatory, or provocative messaging during matches.
Back in November 2025, the Football Association charged Crystal Palace with failing to ensure that their supporters behaved in a proper, offensive, or provocative manner. While the banner itself was not explicitly cited as the direct reason for the charge, strict regulations remain in place prohibiting defamatory, political, and offensive slogans.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
England international Morgan Gibbs-White nearly departed Forest during the previous summer transfer window after Tottenham appeared ready to trigger a £60m release clause. However, he ultimately signed a new contract to remain at the club and addressed his decision during an interview alongside Marinakis.
Furthermore, Marinakis-owned Forest secured a place in the Europa League last season at Palace's expense, after the south London club was demoted to the Conference League for breaching UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. BBC Sport has approached both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest for comments on the matter.
Source: BBC Sport
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