Controversial Banner Lands Crystal Palace in Hot Water
Crystal Palace have been hit with a six-figure fine after being charged by the Football Association (FA) for displaying a provocative banner targeting Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
The incident occurred in late August, during the 1-1 English Premier League draw at Selhurst Park Stadium in London, England, when Eagles supporters unveiled a caricature of Marinakis holding a gun to Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White’s head, accompanied by text making unsubstantiated claims about the 58-year-old Greek businessman.
The banner followed a turbulent summer in which Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the UEFA Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules due to co-owner John Textor’s stake in French club, Lyon.
Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh last season, took their place in Europe. The decision Palace fans blamed on Marinakis after reports suggested he had alerted UEFA to the ownership issue.
Forest and Marinakis condemned the banner as inflammatory and xenophobic, prompting an FA investigation. The football governing body charged the south London club with failing to ensure their supporters behaved in a proper and non-abusive manner.
Crystal Palace have until next Tuesday, 11 November, to respond.
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