- Nottingham Forest Owner Marinakis Receives Ban for Spitting at Officials with a five-match stadium ban imposed for his actions after a match against Fulham on September 28.
- The incident occurred following Nottingham Forest’s loss, with match officials reporting Marinakis spitting as they left the pitch.
- Marinakis claimed his actions were unintentional, attributing it to a coughing fit from smoking, but this defense was rejected by the independent panel.
- The panel labeled his behavior as intentional and disrespectful, emphasizing the need for accountability to uphold respect for referees in football.
Newsypeople – Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has been handed a five-match stadium ban after being found guilty of spitting towards match officials. This incident occurred following a controversial 1-0 defeat to Fulham on September 28, where emotions ran high.
The independent regulatory panel deemed his actions as a serious breach of conduct that warranted disciplinary action. Marinakis was reported to have spat on the floor as referee Josh Smith and his officiating team passed him in the tunnel.
Witnesses, including the referee and assistant officials, corroborated the account, stating that Marinakis’s actions were intentional and disrespectful.
The panel’s written decision emphasized that such behavior could promote a culture of disrespect towards referees, which is detrimental to the integrity of the sport.
In response to the allegations, Evangelos Marinakis claimed that he suffers from a persistent cough due to smoking cigars. He argued that any spitting was unintentional and not directed at the officials.
However, this defense was dismissed by the panel, which noted that there was no mention of coughing in the officials’ statements and that CCTV footage did not support his claims. The panel concluded that Marinakis intentionally spat in a “disgusting display of contempt,” which warranted a significant punishment.
Despite his appeal against the ban, Marinakis was absent during Nottingham Forest’s subsequent match against Crystal Palace. His appeal reflects an ongoing dispute regarding the severity of the punishment and its implications for his role within the club.
This incident is part of a larger narrative involving Nottingham Forest’s management and players facing disciplinary actions. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo received a three-match touchline ban for foul language directed at officials during a previous match against Brighton.
Additionally, midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was also sanctioned for using abusive language towards a fourth official after being sent off in the same game.
The regulatory commission considered these incidents collectively, highlighting a pattern of misconduct within the club’s ranks. While Marinakis’s case has drawn significant attention due to his position as owner, it underscores broader issues regarding respect for match officials in football.
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