Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek businessman who acquired Nottingham Forest in 2017, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Crystal Palace. The legal action stems from a fan banner displayed at Selhurst Park during a Premier League match last August, which depicted Marinakis holding a firearm to the head of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. The banner also included inflammatory text mentioning allegations of criminal misconduct, all of which Marinakis has firmly denied.
Lawyers representing Marinakis submitted the claim to the High Court this Monday, naming CPFC Limited as a defendant. This follows a November 2025 Football Association charge against Crystal Palace regarding improper and offensive conduct by supporters. While the banner was not explicitly cited as the primary cause for the charge, the FA maintains strict guidelines against defamatory or provocative displays.
The incident occurs amidst a complex sporting relationship between the two clubs. Nottingham Forest replaced Crystal Palace in the Europa League last season following the latter’s relegation for breaching Uefa’s multi-club ownership regulations. Both clubs have been contacted for comment regarding the ongoing legal dispute.
