‘Mr Marinakis is NOT…’: Palace Fans Charged Over Banner Mocking Forest Owner

Crystal Palace fans took a dig at Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during their PL clash. (X)

Crystal Palace was charged by the English FA over a provocative fan banner targeting Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis on Wednesday.

The banner depicted Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis pointing a gun at midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White’s head, accompanied by the message: “Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption.” Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding these allegations.

“It’s alleged that the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters didn’t behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, insulting, and/or provocative way,” the Football Association stated.

Palace fans have blamed Marinakis for instigating a UEFA investigation into their club’s ownership structure, resulting in the 2025 FA Cup winner being relegated to the third-tier Europa Conference League this season, while Forest was elevated to the second-tier Europa League.

The FA stated that the charge pertains to Palace’s failure to prevent supporters from engaging in improper, offensive, or abusive behaviour. Although the governing body did not specifically mention the banner, its rules prohibit defamatory or provocative messaging at matches.

Palace have until Tuesday to respond to the charge. This match was the first meeting between the teams since Palace’s demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, a development that enabled Forest to take their place in Europe.

The English top-flight fixture between the sides ended 1-1 as Callum Hudson-Odoi restored parity for Forest after Ismaila Sarr had given the hosts the lead at the Selhurst Park.