PGMOL insider slams ‘totally unacceptable’ Crystal Palace gesture against Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace could face action from the FA after Eagles supporters displayed a banner depicting Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs-White’s head.
The incident happened during Palace’s 1-1 draw with Forest at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 24 August.
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring for the Eagles in South London, while Callum Hudson-Odoi equalised for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Meanwhile, the game took place amid the controversial backdrop that Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League, with Forest replacing them in the Europa League.
Ex-FIFA ref expects FA action after Crystal Palace banner
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
While Palace were playing Forest on Sunday, a group of home supporters displayed a banner showing Marinakis holding a gun to Gibbs-White’s head.
Gibbs-White was seemingly joining Tottenham in the summer transfer window before agreeing a new deal with Espirito Santo’s side after the East Midlands club threatened legal action.
The banner displayed by Palace fans also depicted John Textor as a clown following Palace’s demotion to the Conference League.
Keith Hackett slams Palace fans over controversial banner
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: “Totally unacceptable and frankly not amusing. I hope that the FA take action.”
Oliver Glasner‘s men travel to Fredrikstad in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday, 28 August.
The South Londoners hold a 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal against the Norwegian side on Thursday, 21 August.