Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has filed a defamation lawsuit in the High Court against Crystal Palace following a banner displayed by Palace supporters during a Premier League match last August.

The banner, which appeared at Selhurst Park during a 1-1 draw between the two clubs, depicted Marinakis holding a gun to the head of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. It bore the message: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption." Marinakis has consistently and firmly denied any such allegations.

Legal representatives for Marinakis filed the claim on Monday, with CPFC Limited listed among the defendants. The Football Association had previously charged Crystal Palace in November 2025 with failing to prevent supporters from conducting themselves in an improper, offensive, abusive, or provocative manner — though the banner was not explicitly cited as the basis for that charge. Governing body rules impose strict prohibitions on messaging deemed defamatory, political, or offensive.

Gibbs-White's future and the Forest connection

The banner also drew attention to Gibbs-White, who had been at the centre of transfer speculation last summer after Tottenham appeared to trigger a £60 million release clause in his contract. The England international ultimately chose to remain at Nottingham Forest, signing a new deal and appearing publicly alongside Marinakis to discuss the decision.

There is a wider backdrop to the rivalry between the two clubs. Nottingham Forest — owned by Marinakis — took Crystal Palace's place in the UEFA Europa League last season after Palace were demoted to the UEFA Conference League for breaching Uefa's multi-club ownership regulations.

BBC Sport has contacted both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest for comment.