Eniola Yekini
The owner of Nottingham Forest, Evangelos Marinakis, has instituted legal charge against Crystal Palace over a controversial banner displayed by the club’s supporters.
According to report Marinakis’s legal team has filed a defamation lawsuit at the High Court over the banner, which was unveiled by Crystal Palace fans during the 1-1 draw between the two sides at Selhurst Park last August.
The banner depicted the Forest owner pointing a gun at the head of Morgan Gibbs-White and carried the statement, “Mr. Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking, or corruption.
Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations referenced in the banner.
In November 2025, the Football Association charged Crystal Palace for failing to ensure that its supporters behaved appropriately.
While the banner was not specifically cited as the reason for the charge, the FA has strict regulations governing messages considered defamatory, political or offensive.
Gibbs-White came close to leaving Nottingham Forest last summer after Tottenham appeared to have triggered the £60 million release clause in his contract.
However, the England international eventually decided to stay at the City Ground, signing a new contract. He later explained his decision in an interview alongside Marinakis.