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The Football Association has launched an investigation after Crystal Palace fans displayed a banner depicting Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis in a controversial light during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.
The banner, unfurled in the Holmesdale End, showed Marinakis pointing a gun at Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, alongside a list of serious allegations, all of which the Greek businessman has consistently denied. Sources close to Forest say the club is “dismayed” that such a display was permitted inside the stadium, branding it inflammatory and xenophobic.
Strict FA regulations prohibit offensive or defamatory slogans on banners, and Palace could face disciplinary action once the governing body’s probe is complete. The south London club has been approached for comment.
The incident comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the two sides following UEFA’s decision earlier this summer to remove Palace from the Europa League due to multi-club ownership rules. Palace, who had qualified by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, were instead demoted to the Europa Conference League. Forest, who had finished seventh in the Premier League, were promoted in Palace’s place.
The focus on Gibbs-White further stoked tensions. The England international was heavily linked with a summer move to Tottenham Hotspur before ultimately signing a new contract to remain at Forest, a deal he announced alongside Marinakis.
Although Marinakis was not in attendance on Sunday, the hostile display underlined the animosity between the two clubs. The FA will now determine whether Palace breached its rules and if sanctions should follow.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @officialnffc, X / @CPFC
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