Nottingham Forest owner takes legal action over controversial fan display
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has launched a defamation lawsuit against Crystal Palace over a controversial banner displayed by Palace supporters during a Premier League match.
Controversial banner
The banner was displayed during a 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park last August. It depicted Marinakis holding a gun to the head of Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
The banner also contained allegations linking Marinakis to serious criminal activities. Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to those allegations.
High Court action
Marinakis’ lawyers filed the defamation claim at the High Court on Monday, with Crystal Palace Football Club listed as one of the defendants.
The legal action comes after the Football Association charged Palace in November 2025 over supporters’ conduct. The charge related to the club’s failure to ensure fans did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or provocative manner.
Although the banner was not specifically identified as the reason for the charge, football authorities have strict rules concerning defamatory and offensive messages displayed at matches.
Gibbs-White transfer saga
The banner came amid controversy surrounding Gibbs-White’s future at Forest. Tottenham appeared to trigger a £60m release clause for the England international last summer, putting his future at the club in doubt.
However, Gibbs-White ultimately signed a new contract to remain at Nottingham Forest. He later spoke publicly about his decision alongside Marinakis.
Palace and Forest rivalry
The dispute comes against the backdrop of growing tension between the two clubs. Marinakis-owned Nottingham Forest took Palace’s place in the Europa League last season after Palace were relegated to the Conference League for breaching Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules.
Marinakis’ lawsuit now places the controversial supporter banner at the centre of a legal battle between the Forest owner and Crystal Palace.
