Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has launched legal action against Crystal Palace, suing the club for defamation over a banner unfurled by supporters at Selhurst Park last season. The move comes despite Palace already being fined by the FA over the incident, with Marinakis reportedly determined to pursue the south London club to the full extent of the law.
What Happened: The Banner at Selhurst Park
The banner in question was displayed last August, not long after Morgan Gibbs-White’s proposed move to Tottenham fell through and the midfielder instead signed a contract extension at the City Ground. It depicted Marinakis holding a gun to Gibbs-White’s head and included lurid, unsubstantiated claims about the Greek billionaire’s business dealings.
FA Investigation and £50,000 Fine for Crystal Palace
The incident was investigated by the FA in November, with Crystal Palace subsequently charged and fined £50,000. Under FA rules, clubs carry responsibility for ensuring supporters do not behave in a way that is improper, offensive, abusive, insulting or provocative. However, that sanction has not been enough to satisfy Marinakis, who lodged a formal claim in the High Court last week.
Why Marinakis Is Pursuing Legal Action Despite the Fine
According to reports, Marinakis believes the £50,000 fine does not come close to reflecting what he considers to be significant, global damage to his personal reputation. His legal case centres on the argument that Crystal Palace failed to prevent the banner from being displayed and did not act quickly enough to have it removed once it appeared. Marinakis is understood to be seeking to establish, through the courts, exactly how responsible the club can be held for the banner’s display.
The Legal Basis for the Defamation Claim
In English law, a defamation claim can typically be built on one of three grounds: the publication of allegedly false statements, the creation of a defamatory image, or allowing such an image to be displayed. Marinakis’ case is expected to lean on the latter two grounds, given the banner’s visual depiction alongside its unverified claims about his business affairs.
What Happens Next
Crystal Palace have been approached for comment on the lawsuit, while Nottingham Forest have declined to discuss what remains an ongoing legal matter. With the claim now formally lodged in the High Court, the case is set to bring further scrutiny to how English football clubs are held accountable for the conduct of their supporters, and how far existing FA sanctions go in addressing personal reputational harm to individuals connected with the game.
Frequently Asked Questions: Marinakis vs Crystal Palace
Why is Evangelos Marinakis suing Crystal Palace?
Marinakis is pursuing a defamation claim over a banner displayed by Crystal Palace supporters at Selhurst Park last August, which depicted him holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs-White’s head and included unsubstantiated claims about his business dealings.
Was Crystal Palace already punished for the banner?
Yes. Following an FA investigation in November, Crystal Palace were charged and fined £50,000, though Marinakis believes that punishment does not adequately address the reputational damage he says he suffered.
What is Marinakis’ legal case based on?
The claim centres on whether Crystal Palace did enough to prevent the banner being displayed or to have it removed promptly, and seeks to establish the club’s legal responsibility for supporter conduct inside their own stadium.
Have Crystal Palace or Nottingham Forest commented on the lawsuit?
Crystal Palace have been approached for comment. Nottingham Forest have declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
Final Word
The Marinakis lawsuit marks a significant escalation from a football governance issue into the civil courts, and could set an important precedent for how clubs are held liable for defamatory content displayed by their own fans. With the case now formally underway in the High Court, all eyes will be on how Crystal Palace respond and whether the dispute is resolved before reaching a full hearing
