(Credit: Getty Images/Imago)
(Credit: Getty Images/Imago)

Crystal Palace could push for Premier League investigation after Nottingham Forest twist

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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John Textor has been heavily scrutinised following the circumstances surrounding his Crystal Palace exit over the summer.  

Textor sold his Palace shares to Woody Johnson to prevent Oliver Glasner’s side from losing their place in the Europa League. 

However, it proved to be too late after Uefa deemed he had breached its multi-club ownership rules due to his shares in Lyon, who also qualified for the competition. 

Palace were demoted to the Conference League, leading to Evangelos Marinakis-owned Nottingham Forest being promoted to the Europa League as a result. 

In an interview with Botafogo fans on the Canal do TF YouTube channel on 28 November, Textor described Marinakis as the “partner that he wanted at Crystal Palace”. 

Meanwhile, the American billionaire revealed in a follow-up interview with The Times on 1 December the relationship between the two owners has allowed them to “adjust” transfer fees. 

Crystal Palace 'interested' in John Textor situation

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Palace could push for the Premier League to investigate the situation following Textor’s comments. 

Textor and Marinakis have agreed multiple deals between their clubs over the past couple of years.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “It seems to me that this is just the sort of thing that Crystal Palace pick up the phone to the Premier League about and say, ‘Well, hang on a minute. We've been told X, Y and Z about the relationship between those two parties. It needs to be investigated’. 

“There's no love lost between the clubs, and I don’t think there's any love lost between Crystal Palace and John Textor. 

“It would not surprise me if they were interested in that situation.” 

Steve Parish watching Crystal Palace
Steve Parish could push for a Premier League investigation (Credit: Getty Images)

Alongside French giants Lyon, Textor owns Brazilian side Botafogo and Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek through Eagle Football Holdings, while Marinakis’s portfolio includes Greek champions Olympiakos and Portuguese club Rio Ave. 

Which deals has Textor agreed with Nottingham Forest?

The first major deals between Textor and Marinakis saw Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala leave Forest to join Lyon in 2024. 

Botafogo then sold Igor Jesus, Cuiabano, Jair Cunha and John Victor to the East Midlands side in the recent summer transfer window. 

John Textor, Crystal Palace
John Textor has agreed multiple deals with Nottingham Forest (Credit: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Forest sold Danilo to Botafogo and Matt Turner to Lyon as part of the latest transactions between the two multi-club owners. 

There was even talk of Marinakis investing in Botafogo in recent months, but any deal is yet to materialise. 

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