Forest owner Marinakis sues Palace over gun banner

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis bought Nottingham Forest in 2017

Evangelos Marinakis is suing Crystal Palace for a banner unfurled by their fans depicting the Nottingham Forest owner holding a gun to midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White's head.

Marinakis' lawyers lodged the defamation claim in the High Court on Monday, with CPFC Limited listed as one of the two defendants.

The banner, seen during a 1-1 Premier League draw between the two sides at Selhurst Park last August, read: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption."

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

In November 2025, the Football Association had charged Palace with failing to ensure that supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or provocative way.

While the banner was not specified as the reason for the charge, there are strict rules regarding messaging containing defamatory, political and offensive slogans.

England international Gibbs-White had come close to leaving Forest last summer after Tottenham appeared to trigger a £60m release clause.

But he signed a new contract to stay at Forest and spoke about his decision during an interview alongside Marinakis.

Marinakis-owned Forest had taken Palace's place in the Europa League last season after the south London club were relegated to the Conference League for breaking Uefa's multi-club ownership rules.

Who is Marinakis and is he still in control of Nottingham Forest?

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