Premier League Owner Takes Crystal Palace To Court Over Controversial Banner Featuring Him And Star Player

• Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has launched a defamation claim against Crystal Palace.

• The legal action centres on a controversial banner displayed by Palace supporters during a Premier League match.

• The banner referenced allegations including blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking and corruption.

• Palace could face further scrutiny over strict rules governing offensive and provocative messages from supporters.

August 11, (THEWILL) — Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has taken legal action against Crystal Palace over a controversial banner displayed by supporters during a Premier League match last season.

Marinakis’ lawyers appeared at the High Court on Monday after the businessman launched a defamation claim against Palace.

The dispute relates to a banner held up by Crystal Palace supporters during a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last August.

The banner depicted Marinakis holding what appeared to be a gun to the head of Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

It also carried a message which read: “Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption.”

Marinakis has now initiated legal proceedings, with CPFC Limited listed among the defendants in the case.

The legal action comes more than a year after a controversial transfer saga involving Gibbs-White and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham activated the midfielder’s £60 million release clause in July 2025, and the England international appeared close to moving to north London.

However, the transfer collapsed after Marinakis accused Tottenham of making an illegal approach for the player.

Gibbs-White subsequently signed a new three-year contract with Forest and went on to enjoy an impressive campaign, scoring 15 Premier League goals.

His performances also earned him attention ahead of the 2026 World Cup, although he ultimately missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

Marinakis has remained a central figure at Forest and has continued to back the club’s ambitions following their impressive rise under Oliver Glasner.

The legal dispute with Palace, however, has now added another layer to the relationship between the two clubs.

READ  ALSO: Premier League Club Paying Manager £15m A Year, Here’s How The Rest Compare

Why Crystal Palace could face further scrutiny

Football authorities have strict regulations covering banners, chants and messages displayed inside stadiums.

Clubs can be punished when supporters are found to have displayed material considered offensive, abusive, provocative or defamatory.

Palace have previously faced disciplinary action over the behaviour of their supporters.

The club was charged by the Football Association in November 2025 after being accused of failing to ensure that supporters did not engage in improper, offensive, abusive or provocative conduct.

The latest case involving Marinakis could therefore attract significant attention as the legal process develops.

The dispute also comes against the backdrop of a complicated relationship between Forest and Palace.

Forest took Palace’s place in the Europa League last season after UEFA ruled that the south London club could not participate in the competition because of multi-club ownership regulations.

READ ALSO: Forest Owner Marinakis Hit With Stadium Ban For Tunnel Spitting Incident

Palace were subsequently placed in the Conference League.

Meanwhile, Forest are preparing for another Premier League campaign under Glasner, who will take charge of his first league match of the new season when the Tricky Trees host Leeds United at the City Ground on August 22.

For Marinakis, however, the focus is currently on the legal battle with Palace and the controversial banner that sparked the dispute.

Olumide Atiba, THEWILL

Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage

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