‘Evangelos Marinakis news at Nottingham Forest sparks outrage’
Evangelos Marinakis’ latest moves as Nottingham Forest owner have caused a major stir ahead of next season.
Nuno Espirito Santo, who Forest are keen to tie down to a new deal, has done an incredible job at the City Ground this season, with his side challenging for Champions League qualification.
The Reds were also just one step away from reaching the FA Cup final, but following a 2-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola‘s Man City, the focus remains on securing a top-five finish in the Premier League.
Marinakis has expressed his ambition to take Forest forward, but also owns Greek side Olympiacos, who have qualified for the Champions League, causing problems to occur ahead of next season.
Current rules state that two clubs with the same ownership cannot compete in the same European competition, which is why Marinakis has removed himself from control of Nottingham Forest by withdrawing his position at Companies House.
The Reds will now be allowed to compete alongside Olympiacos in the Champions League next season if Espirito Santo can secure enough points, but the news has left Simon Jordan outraged by the state of the current rules.
Evangelos Marinakis rounds ridiculous rules at Nottingham Forest
Reacting live on talkSPORT (30 April, 12:45pm), Jordan said: “This is the ridiculousness of the governance of the game. He owns the football club, but he’s going to take himself off the register at Companies House.
“This creates the illusion that he no longer has the controlling influence over Nottingham Forest, despite the fact that he owns it. This is so he can overcome the governance of two teams playing in European football, which could see people question the integrity of the sport.
“If you don’t want this challenge, don’t allow people to own more than one club. If you don’t want people to find a way around PSR by selling hotels and women’s teams to one another, create governance that is realistic and reflects the value of the game, rather than what you think you’re trying to achieve, which is flawed.”
| Premier League standings | Points |
| 3. Newcastle United | 62 |
| 4. Man City | 61 |
| 5. Chelsea | 60 |
| 6. Nottingham Forest | 60 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 57 |
Champions League ambitions about to become reality at The City Ground
Football Insider verdict
Forest now really have no other choice but to secure qualification to the Champions League ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, especially after Marinakis’ bold move of relinquishing control at the City Ground.
Remaining matches against Brentford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and West Ham give plenty of hope that the Reds will be able to secure a top-five finish with four matches left of the campaign.
Missing out on the most elite European competition, especially after such a magnificent campaign, could have dire consequences for the club ahead of the summer transfer window.
While Marinakis is likely to splash the cash during the summer so that Forest can maintain their heights next season, Morgan Gibbs-White has already been linked with a move to Man City.
Murillo and Anthony Elanga are also heavily sought-after, and have been in previous transfer windows, and without European football, it comes much harder to keep these names at The City Ground.