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3d ago

Marinakis Sues Crystal Palace Over Selhurst Park Banner

The High Court claim asks a judge to find Crystal Palace legally responsible for the banner and to redress harm Marinakis says it caused to his reputation.

Basketball - Euroleague - Final - Olympiacos v Real Madrid - Telekom Center, Athens, Greece - May 24, 2026 Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - Premier League
Football Insider exclusive as Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stares towards the Crystal Palace fans.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis also owns Olympiacos and Rio Ave

Overview

  • Marinakis lodged a defamation claim in the High Court on Monday, August 10, 2026, naming CPFC Limited and "Persons Unknown" as defendants.
  • The banner, displayed at Selhurst Park on 24 August 2025, pictured Marinakis holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs‑White and included the words denying involvement in blackmail, match‑fixing, drug trafficking or corruption.
  • The FA charged Crystal Palace over supporter behaviour in November 2025 and fined the club £50,000 in February 2026, a sanction Marinakis says did not remedy the reputational damage.
  • Legal commentators note UK defamation law sets a high bar and often protects sarcastic or humorous statements and claims already in the public domain, making Marinakis’ prospects uncertain.
  • The dispute sits against wider tensions between the clubs after UEFA removed Palace from the Europa League and Forest benefited, and the case could clarify how far clubs are legally responsible for fans’ offensive displays.