Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis launches High Court action over Crystal Palace banner

Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, is taking legal action against Crystal Palace over a banner displayed by the club’s supporters that appeared to show him pointing a gun at Morgan Gibbs-White.

Lawyers acting for Marinakis have filed a defamation claim at the High Court, according to BBC Sport. The banner was displayed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park in August 2025, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

It showed an image of Marinakis directing a gun towards the head of Gibbs-White, the England international who was then a Nottingham Forest player. The banner also carried the message: “Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption.”

Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to those allegations.

The legal action concerns the banner and its alleged defamatory nature. The action is being brought against Crystal Palace, following its display by supporters at the Premier League fixture.

Crystal Palace were charged by the Football Association in November 2025 after allegedly failing to ensure that their supporters behaved appropriately. Although the banner was not specifically cited as the reason for the charge, the FA has strict regulations covering messages that contain defamatory, political or abusive slogans.

The case follows a period of uncertainty over Gibbs-White’s future at Nottingham Forest. The midfielder appeared close to leaving the club during the previous summer after Tottenham Hotspur appeared to trigger a £60m release clause in his contract.

However, Gibbs-White ultimately signed a new agreement to remain at Nottingham Forest. He later discussed the decision in an interview conducted alongside Marinakis.

The banner’s reference to alleged blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking and corruption was not accompanied by any suggestion in the article that Marinakis had been found guilty of such offences. He has repeatedly rejected the allegations.

The incident occurred at a match involving two clubs who shared the points after a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. The surrounding controversy has since led to both a defamation claim from Marinakis and disciplinary action by the FA against Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace’s charge relates to the conduct of its supporters and the club’s responsibility to prevent inappropriate behaviour. The FA regulations also cover displays that make defamatory or abusive claims, as well as those carrying political messages.