Evangelos Marinakis Files Defamation Suit Against Crystal Palace

Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Crystal Palace following the display of a banner at Selhurst Park last season. The banner, which depicted Marinakis holding a gun to the head of player Morgan Gibbs-White, was shown in August after Gibbs-White's transfer to Tottenham fell through.

The banner also included unverified claims regarding Marinakis' business activities. Marinakis filed the lawsuit in the High Court last week, seeking to hold Crystal Palace accountable for not preventing the banner's display and for failing to remove it promptly.

In November, the FA investigated the incident, leading to Crystal Palace being charged and fined £50,000. However, Marinakis believes this penalty does not adequately address the damage to his reputation and is committed to pursuing the matter legally. Under FA regulations, clubs must ensure that their fans do not engage in improper or offensive behavior.