Latest news with #Marinakis


The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Crystal Palace ‘to launch bombshell claim Nottingham Forest got special treatment from Uefa' as they fight Europa ban
CRYSTAL PALACE are reportedly demanding full disclosure of alleged bombshell emails and texts between Uefa and Nottingham Forest. 9 Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish slammed the decision to boot the club out of the Europa League as 'ludicrous' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 9 Evangelos Marinakis diluted his control of Nottingham Forest when it looked like both they and Olympiakos could qualify for the Champions League Credit: PA Uefa bosses confirmed last week that Palace had been demoted to the Conference League - opening the door for to replace them in its second competition. FA Cup winners Palace were deemed to have remained part of the same multi-club ownership group as French giants after the March 1 disengagement deadline. Meanwhile, Forest, who qualified for the Conference League after finishing seventh in the Prem, took pre-emptive steps in diluting owner Evangelos Marinakis control in the club on April 29, well beyond the March 1 deadline. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Marinakis also owns Greek side Olympiakos, who regularly qualify for the Europa League and Forest were in and around the Champions League places for most of the season. But Palace are convinced that Forest, who will be £3.9million better off as a result of being promoted to the Europa League, were given additional time by Uefa. According to The Mail, Palace, who will The Eagles hope that the documents, if presented to a CAS panel, could potentially result in the club's reinstatement to the Europa League. Most read in Football 9 Palace have lost their place in the Europa League due to John Textor's multi-club ownership after the March 1 deadline CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Palace bosses also believe Forest wrote to Uefa to express their expectation that Palace should be booted out. This comes after it emerged that the European Club Association, which effectively runs European football with Uefa, had emailed its member sides to tell them that the March 1 deadline was flexible. In the email, first reported by the Telegraph, the ECA inform their clubs that Uefa would allow until May 31 for those at-risk to resolve any issues. Crystal Palace fans protest against Europa League demotion Palace believe Hugo Hamon, Head of Finance Strategy and Operations at the ECA, advised those affected on how to set up a 'blind trust' to navigate the rules. Palace say the only communication from Uefa was sent to a generic email address, and that there were no reminders. They are not a member of the ECA and so would not have received the additional guidance about the deadline . While Forest are not an ECA member, Olympiakos, who are owned by Forest chief Marinakis, are. But it also understood that Uefa sent communication around the deadline , which was brought forward for last season, to the correct email address at Lyon, but that it was not acted upon. 9 Crystal Palace have been booted out of the Europa League 9 Palace initially earned their spot in the competition by winning the FA Cup 9 Forest will replace Palace in the Europa League next season In April, beyond the original deadline , Marinakis diluted his control of Forest when it looked like both they and Olympiakos could qualify for the Champions League. It is understood that all options, including legal action, remain on the table for Palace, who said the decision to boot them out was "ludicrous". It was only last month that former Palace shareholder head of the Eagle Football Group that includes Lyon, in a £190m deal that has still to be ratified by the Prem. Textor then resigned from his leadership role at Lyon when they were relegated to Ligue 2 after a string of financial difficulties. But Lyon soon won their appeal against their relegation and were reinstated to the French top-flight after finishing sixth, which beats Palace finishing 12th. 9 Palace fans have been protesting against Uefa's decision 9 Supporters gathered outside Selhurst Park to let their voices be heard Palace say Textor had no influence and that no intelligence was shared between Palace and any of the other clubs in his group. The FA has written to Uefa supporting Palace's case, while Liberal Democrat MPs have asked culture secretary Lisa Nandy to intervene in what they branded a "disgraceful" decision. The draw for the Conference League play-off round, at which stage Palace would enter, is on August 4. SunSport has approached Palace and Forest for comment. 9


Observer
5 days ago
- Politics
- Observer
Greek govt calls for EU farm scandal probe
ATHENS: The Greek government on Monday called for a special parliamentary committee to probe a European Union farm subsidies scandal, reportedly involving tens of millions of euros, that has seen at least two ministers put under EU investigation. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the ruling conservative party would request an investigation into the 27-year operation of the Greek authority for the payment of common agricultural policy aid (OPEKEPE). "Our proposal concerns the period from the establishment of OPEKEPE in 1998 until today in order to investigate the dysfunctions, identify the problems and ensure complete transparency," Marinakis told reporters. An investigation by EU prosecutors has shown widespread abuse of funds at OPEKEPE, which according to the government annually disburses 2.5 billion euros to nearly 650,000 farmers. Reports said prosecutors suspect tens of millions of euros have been siphoned off. The investigation period is mostly under the current government, which came to power in July 2019. But the government argues that the fraud has lasted decades. In nearly 30 years, the Greek state has paid more than 2.7 billion euros in fines, Marinakis said. — AFP


The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Greek govt calls for EU farm scandal probe
ATHENS: The Greek government on Monday called for a special parliamentary committee to probe a European Union farm subsidies scandal, reportedly involving tens of millions of euros, that has seen at least two ministers put under EU investigation. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the ruling conservative party would request an investigation into the 27-year operation of the Greek authority for the payment of common agricultural policy aid (OPEKEPE). 'Our proposal concerns the period from the establishment of OPEKEPE in 1998 until today in order to investigate the dysfunctions, identify the problems, and ensure complete transparency,' Marinakis told reporters. An investigation by EU prosecutors has shown widespread abuse of funds at OPEKEPE, which according to the government annually disburses 2.5 billion euros ($2.9 billion) to nearly 650,000 farmers. Reports said prosecutors suspect tens of millions of euros have been siphoned off. The investigation period is mostly under the current government, which came to power in July 2019. But the government argues that the fraud has lasted decades. In nearly 30 years, the Greek state has paid more than 2.7 billion euros in fines, Marinakis said. Greece's ruling New Democracy party has a large enough majority in parliament to create the committee on its own. Last month, a minister who had formerly held the agriculture portfolio resigned, after the European Public Prosecutor's Office sent a case to parliament on the alleged involvement of two former ministers in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's government in the misappropriation of EU funds. Three junior ministers and another senior government official also submitted their resignations. In May, investigators searched the Athens offices of OPEKEPE and seized documents and electronic equipment. They indicated that 'a significant number' of people had gained payment rights between 2019 and 2022, mainly by falsely claiming public land. – AFP


France 24
21-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno signs new three-year contract
The 51-year-old led Forest to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season, securing European qualification for the first time since the 1995/96 season. After battling relegation for much of their first two campaigns back in the Premier League after a 23-year absence, Forest were on course to qualify for the Champions League last season. A late slump in form saw them settle for a place in the Europa Conference League instead and included a flashpoint when owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted Nuno on the pitch after a 2-2 draw against relegated Leicester. Former Manchester United captain and leading pundit Gary Neville said the Portuguese coach should have resigned in protest at that incident. However, the former Wolves and Tottenham boss has committed his future to the City Ground and thanked Marinakis for his support since he was appointed in December 2023. "I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football club," Nuno said in a club statement. "Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the club, which helped us achieve great things last season. "I would like to thank our owner, Mr Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest." Marinakis paid tribute to the impact made by Nuno and reiterated his desire for the two-time European champions to be contenders for major trophies once more. "We enjoy a strong and solid relationship together," said the Greek shipping magnate. "Above all, we share the same dream and ambition of writing a new history for Nottingham Forest, competing in the Premier League and in Europe and winning trophies for our great club."
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nottingham Forest make huge Nuno Espirito Santo contract announcement
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has signed a new contract at the City Ground, committing to the club until 2028. Nuno's previous deal had been due to expire next summer, and there was speculation last month that the Portuguese could walk out of the club. Advertisement But those rumours have been put to bed with a new three-year deal announced on Saturday morning. READ MORE: Nottingham Forest transfer latest as £34m midfielder stance set out and Wood touted for Arsenal READ MORE: Row flares as Newcastle United sent clear Anthony Elanga transfer message In guiding the club to seventh in the Premier League table, Nuno helped deliver Forest's highest finish in 30 years and has taken them back into Europe. Nuno's focus is now on making even 'more special memories' over the next few years. The manager told the club: 'I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football club. Advertisement 'Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the club, which helped us achieve great things last season. 'I would like to thank our owner, Mr. Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. 'It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest. 'Now is the time to work harder than ever as we strive for more special memories together.' Preparations are well under way for the new season, in which Forest will be competing in the Europa Conference League, at least until a decision is made of Crystal Palace's Europa League spot. Advertisement Willy Boly signed a new deal this week and fresh contracts are reportedly close for full-backs Ola Aina and Neco Williams. A transfer swoop for Botafogo pair Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha is also on the cards. What's the next big task for Forest to complete this summer? Click HERE to have your say.