Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been hit with a huge five-game stadium ban over an alleged tunnel bust-up.
The FA alleged Marinakis behaved in an “improper” manner around the City Ground tunnel after the final whistle of Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham on September 28. The Greek businessman was said to have been involved in an incident after Forest surrendered their unbeaten start to the season when Raul Jimenez converted a 51st-minute penalty for Fulham.
The punishment comes just hours after manager Nuno Espirito Santo was banned for three matches and fined £55,000 for his behaviour after the 2-2 draw at Brighton on September 23. Star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was handed a one-match ban and fined £20,000 for incidents in that game.
A statement published on the FA website regarding Marinakis’ ban read: “Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis has been sanctioned by an independent Regulatory Commission. Evangelos Marinakis was charged with misconduct following Nottingham Forest’s Premier League match against Fulham on Saturday September 28.
“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.”
Fulham were awarded the penalty after referee Josh Smith was urged to consult the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR). Smith determined from the replays that Forest defender Murillo had scraped his studs along the back of Andreas Pereira’s calf and Forest were further angered when VAR ruled against them in penalty claims involving Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Speaking after the game, Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We all want peace and for things to continue well, to not have to speak about the referees. But it was bad, wasn’t it? Let’s try to avoid [talking about officials] and give the referees peace. I think they are trying to improve, but today was not the best day.”
Commenting on his ban, Nuno Espirito Santo today said he was “surprised” that he had been banned alongside Gibbs-White, who was charged for his reaction to being dismissed in the 2-2 draw. Nuno and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler were both red carded in the aftermath.
“I’m surprised – it’s a big sanction but there’s nothing we can do,” said Nuno. “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.”
Hurzeler was given an £8,000 fine, but avoided a touchline ban.
A Football Association statement read: “It was alleged that the Nottingham Forest head coach [Nuno] acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.
“The Nottingham Forest midfielder [Gibbs-White] allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official after being sent off.
“It was alleged that the Brighton and Hove Albion manager [Hurzeler] acted in an improper manner.”