MARINAKIS SUES CRYSTAL PALACE OVER GIBBS-WHITE BANNER

Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest, has filed a defamation claim in the High Court against Crystal Palace following a banner displayed by Palace supporters during a Premier League match last August. The banner, unfurled at Selhurst Park during a 1-1 draw, depicted Marinakis holding a gun to midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White's head and read: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption." Crystal Palace Limited is listed as one of two defendants in the case, which was lodged on Monday.

The Football Association charged Palace in November 2025 with failing to ensure that supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or provocative way, though the banner was not specified as the reason for that charge. Premier League clubs face strict rules regarding messaging containing defamatory, political and offensive slogans. Marinakis has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations referenced in the banner. Gibbs-White signed a new contract with Forest last summer after Tottenham appeared to trigger a £60m release clause, and subsequently gave an interview discussing his decision alongside Marinakis.

Forest secured a place in the Europa League last season after Palace were relegated to the Conference League for breaching Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. BBC Sport and the clubs involved have been approached for comment on the defamation claim.