E. Marinakis' immunity – or why the Greek 'businessman' uses the legendary 'Nottingham Forest' club for his PR company?

2025-07-29 22:30 © Nottingham Forest

"Mr. Marinakis,” said Morgan Gibbs White after signing a new contract with Nottingham Forest. According to the club, this signing demonstrates ambitions, especially from the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis.

However, a video in which the 25-year-old Englishman talks about his new contract raised questions for many. The video appeared strange. How do you talk about your new contract next to an owner who seemingly has a gun pointed at your back and is telling you to say this? Knowing the owner of Forest, this wouldn't be surprising.

"I’ve felt the love instantly from the very first moment I stepped through the door.” 🗣️@Morgangibbs27 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Wpz9d3dj2D

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 27, 2025

Evangelos Marinakis is linked with a drug lord’s name. He controls as much in Greece as any person can hardly conceive. Most accusations usually have at least some truth, and this man is no exception.

It's hard to talk about things in Greece and this Greek’s activities in transporting drugs across borders, as it ultimately is not our business. However, it's not difficult to discuss his actions in football, which show the influence he has and how much he thinks he can. Well, he can do a lot, but sometimes it crosses the boundaries, simply the boundaries of morality.

Eight months ago, a case started regarding E. Marinakis’ involvement in a police officer's murder case, but that’s just the flowers. More about all his influence and missing people and witnesses can be read in the "New Republic” article "Vampire Ship.” Continuing to read this football article leads one back into "Vampire Ship,” which is a very long read, but we recommend returning afterward. Now one can look at situations where he felt like in Greece – untouchable and able to silence everyone.

• Feuds with coach Nuno Espirito Santo and closed doors for Gary Neville

On May 11, after Forest’s 2:2 draw with Leicester City, Evangelos Marinakis stepped onto the pitch, where he began to scold the team’s strategist Nuno Espirito Santo. The result was painful and harmed hopes of reaching the Champions League, yet that coach made a significant achievement. Does an experienced specialist really need reminding, and why wasn't it kept behind closed doors?

Of course, the media reaction in England was not very pleasant. One of the first to criticize the Greek lord was Gary Neville, who advised Nuno to resign that same day, labeling the situation as scandalous. Guess what.. two weeks later, Neville lost the opportunity to work at Forest’s home ground, City Ground. The former defender was informed that he would not be allowed into the stadium and would not receive accreditation to work for Sky Sports at the Forest match against Chelsea. A move that only Russia would do.. only the mafia.. only Evangelos Marinakis.

🇬🇷 | Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch and had a heated discussion with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after the match against Leicester City. pic.twitter.com/n4GpasOFKb

— Balkan Futbolu (@BalkanFutbolu) May 11, 2025

• Odds with Crystal Palace

Big feuds among English clubs are rare. It’s normal when the TOP6 clubs disagree, especially when they are in the same city ("Arsenal”-"Tottenham,” "Man City”-"Man Utd,” "Tottenham”-"Chelsea,” "Liverpool”-"Man Utd”), but disagreements among mid-table teams are very rare. It is clear that at this moment and in the near future, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace will certainly not agree. Forest, with E. Marinakis at the forefront, saw an opportunity to push Crystal Palace out of the Europa League and occupy that spot themselves.

The essence is simple. The London and Lyon clubs share the same main shareholder – millionaire John Textor. Since the end of the season, it was clear that UEFA would have to make some decision, and the highest European football body understood this. Yet, the Forest club was itching to push UEFA even more. According to the English press, UEFA has currently received a series of red letters questioning why they haven't definitively resolved the Crystal Palace matter. UEFA announced its verdict, but the Eagles, of course, appealed, so there is no official resolution yet. E. Marinakis should be pleased that his club Olympiacos will play in the Champions League next season, not the Europa League, as problems would arise again. After all, "Mr.” also controls the giants of Greek football.

• Was M. Gibbs White's release fee paid? We will go to court

Evangelos Marinakis certainly does not always get along with the courts, but such a privilege is sometimes utilized in football. Tottenham two weeks ago dared to pay Nottingham Forest for the release of midfielder Morgan Gibbs White, which turned out to be hidden in the contract. After secretly learning about it, the London club was a hair's breadth away from a £60 million payment to the Reds. A medical examination was ordered and it was to be the second "spurs” purchase in two days.

It did not happen. The Forest club was furious. They began to threaten Tottenham with lawsuits, claiming possible violations. The whole commotion lasted about a week, and eventually, there was silence... Silence until M. Gibbs White extended his contract for another additional year (until 2028) with the Forest club. This contract extension, like the extension of coach Nuno Espirito Santo's contract, resonated with E. Marinakis' name and surname on Nottingham Forest's social networks. Why? What kind of PR campaign is this? The phrase "Mr. Marinakis” answered quite a few questions - the face of the club became a Greek drug lord.

A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/WhvuhecdhI

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 26, 2025

Nottingham Forest should be praised for their achievements last season, and the club's ambitions in the transfer market are never lacking. Their fans will be able to rejoice in Europe, coach Nuno Espirito Santo once again proves his worth in the Premier League, and some players have unveiled themselves in unprecedented ways last season.

However, in modern football at the highest level, we still see things that might normally be expected to see in the Balkans, in terrorist neighboring countries or elsewhere 15 years ago. Now, with our own eyes in the TOP5 league, which is the Premier League, we see an owner acting under mafia "panetkes” – a big one in 2025.

Evangelos Marinakis has handed Nuno Espírito Santo a new three-year contract until the summer of 2028. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/SCYwWz4DRW

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 21, 2025