Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis files defamation claim against Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has filed a defamation claim against Premier League rivals Crystal Palace. According to NY Times, the case was lodged at the High Court in London on Monday and names Palace and 'persons unknown'. It is understood to relate to a banner displayed by Palace fans last August that featured Marinakis.

The banner was shown in the Lower Holmesdale Road end at Selhurst Park.

Palace were charged with misconduct by the Football Association in November over the incident, then contested the case with a due diligence defence, arguing they had taken all reasonable steps to prevent the display. In February the club were fined £50,000 after an independent regulatory commission found a breach of Rule E21 for failing to ensure spectators or supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, insulting or provocative manner.

Relations had already been strained by last season’s European reshuffle. Forest took a Europa League place at Palace’s expense after Palace were moved into the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules. Forest had written to UEFA seeking clarity, Palace were removed, then went on to win the Conference League by beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0, which earned a Europa League spot for the coming campaign.

Forest have since appointed Oliver Glasner, who led Palace to the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League over the past two years, after his contract expired this summer.

Forest visit Selhurst Park on 10 October in the Premier League, which could make for a tense atmosphere. Hearing dates for the legal action have not yet been set.

Source: NY Times

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