Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis on trial in Athens over inciting gang violence | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has begun his trial in Athens over charges of inciting football violence and supporting a criminal organisation. 

Marinakis, who owns Greek giants Olympiacos, is accused of two misdemeanour counts. 

The 58-year-old and four other Olympiacos board members are accused of instigating violence with statements against authorities and supporting a criminal group between 2019 and 2024.

Marinakis’ lawyer Vassilis Dimakopoulos has refuted the allegations, calling them ‘totally baseless’ (h/t BBC Sport).

A total of 142 fans face charges of running a criminal organisation and causing life-threatening explosions at sporting events. They have all denied wrongdoing. 

The investigation was launched after a flare hit riot police officer George Lyngeridis during clashes outside a women’s volleyball match between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.

He subsequently died from his injuries. 

Marinakis has been the majority shareholder of the club since 2010. They have achieved significant success under him, including winning the 2023/24 Europa Conference League title. 

The Greek shipping and media magnate completed his takeover of Forest in 2017. 

Forest earned promotion to the Premier League in 2022 for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

They have since established themselves in the top flight, although Marinakis has been criticised for hiring and firing several managers.