(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Exclusive: Crystal Palace punishment revealed after Evangelos Marinakis controversy

James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Crystal Palace are only likely to be handed a fine after fans displayed a controversial banner aimed towards Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, sources have told Football Insider

The banner, which showed the Greek billionaire holding a gun to Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White’s head, read: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption!".

The incident occured during Palace’s 1-1 draw with Forest at Selhurst Park on Sunday (24 August), with The FA now conducting an investigation into the matter. 

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider the Palace banner was “totally unacceptable”, while he called on the governing body to “take action”. 

However, sources say Oliver Glasner’s side are only likely to receive a “small fine” and be warned about their fans’ future conduct. 

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace are under investigation after their fans' banner against Nottingham Forest (Credit: Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest 'frustrated' after Crystal Palace banner

The incident occurred after tensions have been high between Palace and Forest over the past couple of months. 

Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by Uefa following multi-club ownership issues surrounding former co-owner John Textor. 

Forest will now play in the Europa League instead of Palace, whose appeal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month. 

Palace chairman Steve Parish claimed the decision to remove the south London club from the Europa League was “the biggest injustice in the history of football”. 

However, BBC Sport reported on Sunday Forest are frustrated more wasn’t done to prevent the banner from being displayed at Selhurst Park. 

It said City Ground chiefs view the banner as being “inflammatory and xenophobic”. 

The Gibbs-White image was included after Forest blocked his move to Tottenham last month, with the England international eventually signing a new deal at the City Ground. 

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis looking stern
Evangelos Marinakis has been in charge at Nottingham Forest since 2017 (Credit: Getty Images)

Crystal Palace to accept Liverpool's new Marc Guehi offer

In terms of transfer activity at Selhurst Park, Football Insider revealed on Friday (29 August) Palace are preparing to accept an offer for Marc Guehi from Liverpool. 

Arne Slot’s side have been linked with the England international throughout the summer transfer window, which closes on 1 September. 

Palace are now believed to be open to offers for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract in June 2026, after reaching the league phase of the Conference League following their 1-0 win over Fredrikstad. 

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