English Premier League
Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis sues Crystal Palace over controversial fan banner
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has begun legal proceedings against Crystal Palace over a banner displayed by the club’s supporters which showed him pointing a gun at the head of Morgan Gibbs-White.
Lawyers representing Marinakis have filed a defamation claim at the High Court, according to BBC Sport. The legal action relates to the banner raised during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park last August, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The banner carried the message: “Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption.”
Marinakis has consistently denied committing any wrongdoing in relation to those allegations.
The image on the banner depicted the Greek businessman holding a gun to Gibbs-White’s head. Gibbs-White, an England international, was at the centre of uncertainty over his future at Nottingham Forest during the same summer.
Although the banner itself was not specifically cited as the reason for disciplinary action, the Football Association has rules covering messages displayed at matches which are defamatory, political or offensive.
In November 2025, the FA charged Crystal Palace with failing to ensure that its supporters behaved appropriately. The charge followed the incident involving the supporters’ display, although the banner was not expressly identified as the basis for the case.
Gibbs-White had appeared close to leaving Nottingham Forest last summer after Tottenham Hotspur seemed to trigger a £60m release clause in his contract.
However, he ultimately agreed a new contract to remain at the City Ground. He later discussed his decision in an interview alongside Marinakis.
The legal claim places further focus on the relationship between football clubs, their owners and the conduct of supporters inside stadiums. The banner referred to serious accusations which Marinakis has repeatedly rejected, while also portraying him in a threatening image alongside one of Nottingham Forest’s leading players.
Crystal Palace were charged by the FA despite the fact that the banner’s wording was not formally listed as the specific cause of the proceedings. The governing body’s regulations require clubs to take reasonable steps to prevent supporters from displaying material considered improper, including defamatory or offensive messages.
The match at Selhurst Park finished level, but the dispute surrounding the banner has continued beyond the fixture. Marinakis has now chosen to pursue the matter through the High Court, with his lawyers arguing that the display was defamatory.
Gibbs-White’s involvement adds an additional connection to the incident because his future had been the subject of intense speculation at the time. After Tottenham Hotspur appeared to activate the £60m clause in his agreement, the midfielder instead committed his future to Nottingham Forest by signing a fresh contract.
He subsequently explained that decision during an interview conducted with Marinakis, who remains the owner of Nottingham Forest.
