Nottingham Forest: FA accuses owner Evangelos Marinakis of misconduct

The Football Association has accused Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis of misconduct following his side’s defeat to Fulham on September 28.

The FA claims, external Marinakis behaved in an “inappropriate” manner in the City Ground tunnel after the final whistle.

The Greek businessman, 57, has until Monday, October 7, to respond.

Forest lost 1–0, giving up their unbeaten start to the season after Raul Jimenez converted a 51st-minute penalty for Fulham.

The visitors were awarded the penalty after referee Josh Smith was urged by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitch monitor.

Smith determined from replays that Forest defender Murillo had grazed his studs along the back of Andreas Pereira’s calf.

Forest were further angered when VAR ruled against them in criminal proceedings involving Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi.

“We all want peace and for everything to continue to go well, to not have to talk about the referees anymore. But it was bad, wasn’t it?” Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said this after the match.

“Let’s try to avoid (talking about referees) and give the referees a rest. I think they are trying to improve, but today was not the best day.”

Forest have had problems with VAR before.

After a 2-0 defeat to Everton in April, the club said they had “warned” the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) that “the VAR is a Luton fan but they have not changed it”.

Forest are tenth in the Premier League with nine points after six games, and next play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, October 6.