England’s Football Association has charged Premier League club Crystal Palace with improper conduct after its supporters displayed a provocative banner targeting Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during a match last month.
The accusation stems from a banner containing sensationalist and unproven taunts about Marinakis’s business career.
It was displayed during a Premier League match between Crystal Palace, currently ninth in the league, and Nottingham Forest on August 24.
The FA stated the club “failed to ensure that its spectators and/or supporters did not conduct themselves in an improper, offensive, abusive, insulting and/or provocative manner.”
Crystal Palace has been charged with improper conduct and faces a deadline until Tuesday to respond to the investigation.
Palace fans reportedly blamed Marinakis for allegedly instigating a UEFA investigation into Crystal Palace’s ownership structure.
They claim this investigation led to the club’s hypothetical demotion, which they say benefited Nottingham Forest with a spot in the Europa League.
Marinakis is a prominent figure in football, owning both Greek club Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest.
He has been linked to several legal proceedings involving allegations of corruption and drug trafficking.
Marinakis also expanded his football investments to Portugal in 2023. Members of the Portuguese club Rio Ave approved his entry as a majority investor through a $20.5 million plan aimed at financial stabilization and infrastructure modernization for the club.