Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has found himself at the centre of another dramatic controversy after being escorted out of a basketball arena in Athens with a torn shirt and visible bruising on his face following an alleged altercation in the VIP section.
The incident reportedly took place on Sunday night before the EuroLeague final between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, a match already carrying huge significance because Marinakis is also the owner of Greek giants Olympiacos.
But instead of headlines focusing purely on the basketball, social media exploded after videos surfaced online showing the Forest owner being led away by security while appearing visibly shaken, with his shirt ripped and marks visible around his eye.
According to reports emerging from Greece, the confrontation allegedly involved Grigoris Dimitriadis, the nephew and former adviser to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Witnesses claim tensions escalated rapidly after a heated verbal exchange in the VIP section before the situation allegedly turned physical.
Greek media outlets reported that shouting broke out between both camps before security staff rushed in to separate those involved. Videos circulating online appear to show chaos inside the hospitality area as spectators watched on in disbelief.
Marinakis later gave his version of events, claiming the confrontation became physical after he was spat on.
“Then Dimitriadis spat on me. I slapped him and after that he tore my shirt,” Marinakis reportedly said after the incident.
Other eyewitnesses, however, have suggested there may have been pushing and punches exchanged during the confrontation, although the exact sequence of events remains unclear.
What has made the story spread even faster online is the image of Marinakis himself. Known for his fiery personality and emotional reactions in football, the 58-year-old has often made headlines for explosive touchline moments and confrontations involving his clubs.
Last season alone, he faced major criticism after storming onto the pitch during a Nottingham Forest match to confront manager Nuno Espírito Santo following a controversial result. That incident sparked huge debate across English football, with many questioning whether owners should be allowed such direct involvement during matches.
Now, this latest controversy has added another dramatic chapter to Marinakis’ reputation as one of football’s most unpredictable owners.
Ironically, the incident overshadowed what should have been a historic night for Olympiacos, who went on to celebrate EuroLeague success. Instead, much of the post-match discussion focused on the violent scenes in the VIP area and the condition of the club’s owner after leaving the arena.
Social media quickly erupted with reactions. Some fans defended Marinakis, claiming he was provoked and acted emotionally in the heat of the moment. Others criticised the incident entirely, arguing that such behaviour damages the image of football and sports ownership at the highest level.
So far, neither Nottingham Forest nor Olympiacos have released a full official statement explaining the incident in detail. There are also reports in Greece suggesting possible legal consequences could follow depending on witness statements and security footage from inside the arena.
With videos continuing to circulate online and speculation growing by the hour, the story has become one of the biggest talking points in European sport.
One thing is certain — whether in football or basketball, Evangelos Marinakis never stays far away from controversy for long.
