November 4 – Evangelos Marinakis, the flamboyant and controversial owner of high-flying Nottingham Forest has lost his appeal against a five-game stadium ban.
The Greek shipping magnet was found guilty of improper conduct for spitting on the floor in the direction of Premier League match officials following a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham at the City Ground on September 28. The reason for the ire of Marinakis, was the decision to award a VAR penalty, which was duly converted.
Referee Josh Smith, assistant referee James Mainwaring, and fourth official Tim Robinson submitted written statements saying they saw Marinakis spitting on the floor in their direction as they made their way to the dressing room.
The commission in full transparency published the reasons behind the decision writing, there was “no excuse” for such an “an egregious display of disrespectful behavior” that could “fuel disrespect towards match officials”.
“An Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis in relation to misconduct at their Premier League fixture on Saturday, 28 September against Fulham,” said the Football Association.
“It was alleged that the behavior of Evangelos Marinakis around the tunnel area after full-time of that match was improper. He denied this charge, but it was found proven by an independent Regulatory Commission, and a five-match stadium/ground suspension was imposed.” He has already served three of those matches.
Marinakis, claimed to the commission that he had a hacking cough due to the fact that he smokes cigars daily and that the incident was unintentional.
The commission rejected this defense, pointing to the fact none of the officials’ statements mentioned coughing and CCTV footage of the tunnel backed up that assertion.
Marinakis, can’t seem to stay out of the news recently as last week he made headlines for suing a football rival from Greece for more than £2.1 million in a high court libel claim over an alleged “smear campaign” including “false” allegations of match-fixing.
With Forest riding high in the league without the presence of their owner, it’ll be interesting to witness his behaviour once he returns to the Brian Clough Stand.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734845764labto1734845764ofdlr1734845764owedi1734845764sni@o1734845764fni1734845764