The FA has launched an investigation into a controversial banner displayed by Crystal Palace supporters during Sunday’s match, which depicted Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis holding a gun to the head of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
The banner, unveiled in the Holmesdale Stand during the first half, showed Gibbs-White with a speech bubble that read: “Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking, or corruption!” Marinakis, who has repeatedly denied such allegations, was also drawn holding a suitcase stuffed with cash. Behind him stood a figure resembling a UEFA official next to bags marked “correspondence,” one of which carried the UEFA logo and Forest crest.
Other elements included ex-Palace investor John Textor portrayed as a clown, a sign pointing toward the Europa League with “Win FA Cup” crossed out and replaced by “Sue UEFA,” and a ship carrying Marinakis’s name.
The FA’s rules forbid banners with offensive, abusive, or political messages. According to the BBC, Forest are frustrated Palace did not act to prevent the display, believing it carried xenophobic undertones. They are also questioning why Palace’s owners — Woody Johnson, Steve Parish, Josh Harris, and David Blitzer — have yet to condemn the incident publicly.
Following Forest’s 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park, manager Nuno Espírito Santo admitted uncertainty over his future but dismissed suggestions he might resign as “absurd,” stressing that his position lies with Marinakis. Tensions remain around transfer strategy, with Nuno insisting the squad still needs three more signings — a goalkeeper and two full-backs — to cope with the demands of domestic and European competition.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have been fined €10,000 (£8,693) by UEFA for a separate incident: a banner mocking the organisation during their Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad. The display, featuring the words “UEFA Mafia” and a doctored version of the UEFA logo, has been seen at several Palace matches since the club was demoted from the Europa League to the third-tier competition due to multi-club ownership rules.
Palace had initially secured Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup but lost their spot to Forest after UEFA ruled that John Textor’s Eagle Football’s stakes in both Palace and Lyon created a conflict. Lyon, with the higher league finish, took priority. Eagle Football has since sold its Palace shares to Woody Johnson.
The €10,000 fine is unlikely to deter Palace fans, who remain angry at UEFA’s ruling and have repeatedly voiced their frustrations through banners and chants. While security checks may now be tightened, anti-UEFA demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the club’s European campaign.
