Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has recently found himself embroiled in controversy after an independent commission handed him a five-match ban and fined him £60,000 for alleged misconduct. The Greek tycoon has been accused of spitting in the direction of match officials during a recent match against Fulham. However, Marinakis vehemently denies these accusations, claiming that he was simply coughing due to his cigar-smoking habit, and that the act of spitting was unintentional.
Despite Marinakis’ protests, the independent commission dismissed his explanation as “completely implausible” and condemned his behavior as disrespectful and disgusting. The commission stated that Marinakis deliberately spat on the floor as the referee walked past him, displaying a blatant disregard for the match officials. They concluded that his actions amounted to a violation of Rule E3 and warranted a severe punishment.
This incident adds to Nottingham Forest’s growing list of disciplinary issues this season. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo and player Morgan Gibbs-White have both received bans and fines for their behavior in previous matches, further tarnishing the club’s reputation. Additionally, Forest was recently hit with a hefty £750,000 fine for a social media post that questioned the integrity of VAR officials following a match against Everton.
The club has denied any wrongdoing in both instances, maintaining that they have not brought the game into disrepute. However, the repeated instances of disciplinary troubles have cast a shadow over Nottingham Forest’s season, highlighting the need for better conduct both on and off the field. As they navigate through these challenges, the club faces the task of rebuilding their image and restoring the trust of fans and the football community at large.
