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Crystal Palace face FA probe for banner about Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis
Football | August 26, 2025 5:39 AM CST

Crystal Palace are set to face an inquiry from the Football Association following a display of a provocative banner by their fans about Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.

The tension between the two clubs has been palpable throughout the summer, as both indirectly vied for a spot in this season's Europa League. It was only earlier this month that it was decided Forest would participate in UEFA's second-tier competition, much to the disappointment of Palace.

A charged atmosphere was expected for this match, and Palace fans in the Holmesdale End didn't disappoint, raising a banner featuring Marinakis. The graphic depicted the Greek businessman holding a gun to the head of Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

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The PA news agency reports that the FA will be investigating the incident.

Palace secured their place in the Europa League with a surprise FA Cup victory over Manchester City in May. However, they were subsequently barred from the competition due to former co-owner John Textor having a controlling interest in Lyon.

UEFA's decision to rule that Textor had a controlling interest in two clubs participating in the Europa League came after a protracted saga. Marinakis reportedly wrote to the governing body expressing concerns about Palace's ownership.

Forest were the first to benefit from Palace's exclusion, having finished seventh in the Premier League and qualified for the Conference League.

Crystal Palace's relegation to UEFA's third-tier competition led to an unsuccessful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, resulting in their participation in Conference League football, while Nottingham Forest were granted a last-gasp promotion to the Europa League. This backdrop fuelled tensions when Forest visited south London on Sunday, and despite Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis not being present at Selhurst Park, Palace supporters did not hold back their sentiments.

A provocative banner was unfurled by the Palace fans, depicting Marinakis with a firearm pointed at the head of Morgan Gibbs-White, following the Forest skipper's near move to Tottenham earlier in the summer before deciding to stay and sign a new deal with the Midlands side. The banner also featured a series of accusations against Marinakis, which he has consistently vehemently denied.

The Football Association is set to look into the incident, as Law 12 specifies that fans are prohibited from displaying messages that could be seen as "provocative, derisory or inflammatory."


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