Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis launches High Court claim over Palace gun banner

Evangelos Marinakis has launched legal action against Crystal Palace after a banner displayed by Palace supporters at Selhurst Park during a 1-1 Premier League draw last August depicted the Nottingham Forest owner holding a gun to midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White's head. His lawyers lodged a defamation claim in the High Court on Monday.

Marinakis, who bought Nottingham Forest in 2017, has denied the allegations referenced by supporters. The banner carried the message: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption." England international Morgan Gibbs-White was the player depicted.

In November 2025 the Football Association charged Crystal Palace with failing to ensure that supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or provocative way. While the banner was not specified as the reason for the charge, there are strict rules regarding messaging containing defamatory, political and offensive slogans.

Gibbs-White had been linked with a move away from Forest last summer after Tottenham appeared to trigger a £60m release clause. He subsequently signed a new contract to remain at Forest and discussed his decision in an interview alongside Marinakis.

Marinakis-owned Forest took Palace's place in the Europa League last season after the south London club were relegated to the Conference League for breaking Uefa's multi-club ownership rules.

Marinakis' lawyers named CPFC Limited as one of two defendants in the High Court claim. BBC Sport has approached Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest for comment.