Nottingham Forest owner sues Crystal Palace over gun-point banner targeting midfielder

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis initiated a defamation action in the High Court against Crystal Palace and “persons unknown” over a banner unfurled by the club’s ultras in the Holmesdale Road End at Selhurst Park. The banner depicted Marinakis holding a gun to the head of Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and alluded to the player’s abrupt transfer U-turn and a subsequent interview in which Marinakis was present.

Marinakis, a Greek shipping magnate, has repeatedly denied the allegations and is now seeking legal redress. The case follows an FA charge in November that found Palace failed to prevent supporters from behaving in an offensive, abusive manner, resulting in a £50,000 fine and criticism of the club’s banner-prevention policy. The incident occurred amid heightened rivalry after Palace’s demotion from the Europa League for breaching multi-ownership regulations, a move that ultimately lifted Forest into the competition. This lawsuit represents the latest legal repercussion of fan misconduct linked to that match.