EPL: Nottingham Forest Drag Crystal Palace To Court Ahead Of New Season

The owner of Nottingham Forest, Evangelos Marinakis, has taken legal action against Crystal Palace over a controversial banner displayed by the club’s supporters.

According to BBC Sport, Marinakis’s legal representatives have filed a defamation lawsuit at the High Court over the banner, which was displayed by Crystal Palace fans during a Premier League match.

The banner showed the Nottingham Forest owner appearing to point a gun at the head of Morgan Gibbs-White.

Crystal Palace supporters unveiled the banner during the 1-1 draw between the two teams at Selhurst Park last August.

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The banner also carried the message: “Mr. Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking, or corruption.”

Marinakis has repeatedly denied any involvement in the allegations referenced in the banner.

The controversy previously led to action from the Football Association. In November 2025, the FA charged Crystal Palace over its failure to ensure that supporters behaved appropriately.

Although the banner was not specifically identified as the reason for the charge, football regulations contain strict rules against messages considered defamatory, political or offensive.

The legal action comes as the two clubs prepare for another Premier League season.

Gibbs-White was also at the centre of a major transfer story last summer when Tottenham appeared to have triggered a £60 million release clause in his contract.

However, the England international ultimately decided to remain at Nottingham Forest after signing a new contract with the club.

Gibbs-White later explained his decision in an interview alongside Marinakis.