The simmering tensions between Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have escalated further with the news that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is suing the South London club over a fan barrier.
The banner depicted Marinakis holding a gun to the head of Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White, a reference to his abortive move to Tottenham last summer. It was unveiled during the 1 – 1 draw between the two sides almost 12 months ago, and led to the South London club being handed a £50,000 fine by the Football Association for failing to ensure that their fans behaved in an appropriate manner.
However, that is not enough for the Greek shipping magnate who insists that he is not involved in blackmail, drugs, match-fixing or corruption.
It is the latest skirmish in a war that began when Palace qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, only to be denied their place in that competition over third party ownership rules. The fact that it was Forest who wrote to UEFA to express their concerns was no coincidence. Instead it was Forest who took their place in the Europa League, whilst Palace were demoted into the Europa Conference League – which they went on to win.
And the fact that Palace’s manager at the time, Oliver Glasner, has now taken over at the City Ground after his contract ended in South London has added further fuel to the fire.
With the clubs due to renew their rivalry in the Premier League on October 10th at Selhurst Park, there could be fireworks. Any calls by Palace to get their supporters to behave after this later incident are likely to fall on deaf ears.
