Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has been handed a five-match stadium ban by the Football Association (FA) following a misconduct charge stemming from an incident during last month’s match against Fulham. The ban follows accusations of improper behavior in the tunnel area after Fulham’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on September 28 at City Ground. The match, decided by a Raul Jimenez penalty, sparked controversy as Forest felt aggrieved by VAR decisions that denied them two potential penalties.
Marinakis initially denied the charge, but the FA’s independent Regulatory Commission found his behavior improper. In their statement, the FA noted: “It was alleged that his behavior 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 written reasons for the decision are expected to be published by the FA soon.
Nuno Espirito Santo Handed Three-Match Ban for Sideline Misconduct
In a related development, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been issued a three-match ban following his behavior during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Brighton. The FA charged Nuno with improper conduct, accusing him of using abusive language toward the match officials. The fiery encounter not only saw Nuno’s outburst but also included red cards for Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler.
The FA’s independent Regulatory Commission imposed a two-match touchline suspension and a £55,000 fine on Nuno. In addition, a further one-match suspension that had been previously suspended was activated. As a result, Nuno will be sidelined for the next three games, a significant setback for Forest as they navigate a challenging Premier League campaign.
VAR Controversy Fuels Tensions in Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham Match
The incident that led to Marinakis’ ban occurred after a highly controversial match in which Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 to Fulham. The game’s only goal came from a penalty awarded to Fulham after referee Josh Smith consulted the pitchside monitor following a VAR intervention. Tensions escalated when Forest felt they were denied two clear penalties after incidents involving Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Nottingham Forest’s frustration over the decisions boiled over after the final whistle, leading to the reported altercation in the tunnel involving Marinakis. While Fulham left City Ground with three points, Nottingham Forest’s camp was left fuming over the officiating, further heightening tensions and ultimately contributing to Marinakis’ misconduct charge.
FA Imposes Fines and Suspensions on Key Figures from Brighton Draw
The fallout from Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Brighton last month continues, with multiple fines and suspensions handed out by the FA. Besides Nuno Espirito Santo’s touchline ban, Forest’s midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was fined £20,000 and handed a one-match suspension for his role in the fracas with the officials. Meanwhile, Brighton’s manager Fabian Hurzeler accepted a fine of £8,000 for his improper conduct.
The match was marked by heated exchanges both on and off the pitch, with both teams seeing red cards. The FA’s disciplinary actions have now left Nottingham Forest without their manager for the next three games, further compounding the club’s challenges as they seek to secure their Premier League status.
Nottingham Forest Fined for Irresponsible Social Media Post
Adding to Nottingham Forest’s growing list of penalties, the club was fined £750,000 ($980,000) last week for a controversial social media post that went viral, garnering over 46 million views. The post, made on X (formerly Twitter), was deemed “irresponsible” by the FA, as it questioned the integrity of match officials following Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton in April. The FA condemned the post for inciting negative sentiments towards referees and undermining their authority.
The hefty fine underscores the FA’s efforts to combat the spread of inflammatory content online, particularly from high-profile clubs. Nottingham Forest’s public questioning of referees has sparked debate about the boundaries of free expression versus responsible communication in the world of professional football, setting a precedent for future social media behavior in the sport.
