Owner of Nottingham Forest slapped with five-match stadium ban for ‘improper conduct’

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-match stadium ban by the FA for his 'improper behaviour' after his team's Premier League loss to Fulham.

Forest’s unbeaten start to the 2024-25 campaign was ended by Fulham in late September, Raul Jimenez scoring the only goal from the penalty spot shortly after half-time.

Fulham’s appeals for a penalty were initially waved away by referee Josh Smith but he reversed his decision after being advised to consult the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee.

Forest owner Marinakis, 57, was adjudged to have behaved in an ‘improper’ man in the tunnel area after the match.

The Greek businessman denied the charge but was found guilty by the FA and hit with a five-match stadium ban.

‘Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis has been sanctioned by an independent Regulatory Commission,’ the FA said in a statement.

‘Evangelos Marinakis was charged with misconduct following Nottingham Forest’s Premier League match against Fulham on Saturday 28 September.

‘It was alleged that his behaviour around the tunnel area after the final whistle was improper. He denied this charge, but it was found proven by the independent Regulatory Commission, and a five-match stadium/ground suspension has been imposed.

‘The independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.’

Meanwhile, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said at a press conference on Friday that he was ‘surprised’ after being banned from the touchline for three games for his red card in last month’s draw with Brighton.

Nuno was sent off shortly after his player, Morgan Gibbs-White, was shown a red card in the 2-2 draw.

‘I’m surprised – it’s a big sanction but there’s nothing we can do,’ said Nuno, who was also fined £55,000 by the FA.

‘It’s not for me to judge, my job is to move forward and make sure the coaching staff are ready to help the team.

‘We had a hearing, everything was normal. The sanction has been decided. Let’s go.’

Nottingham Forest, currently 10th in the Premier League, return to action on Monday night against Crystal Palace, who are in the relegation zone following a poor and winless start to the season.

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