Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis launches into fresh tirade over referees

Nottingham Forest feel refereeing errors have cost them a number of points this season and the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis has spoken of his frustration in a fresh interview

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has hit out at Premier League referees, claiming a series of mistakes have “cost” his side crucial points this season.

Forest have had a number of controversial decision go against them and they remain embroiled in a relegation battle. They currently sit just three points above the relegation zone heading into their final two matches against Chelsea and Burnley.

A famous night for Evangelos Marinakis' Olympiakos on Thursday, but it's been a tougher campaign at one of his other clubs, Nottingham Forest…#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SKClcate5g

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 10, 2024

Forest’s frustration with officials boiled over last month after they felt they were denied three penalties in a game they ultimately lost 2-0 to Everton. After the match, they released a furious statement on social media which read: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.

“We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”

And Marinakis has now doubled down on those comments. “It is stressful because of what has been happening since the beginning of the year with some decisions and points deduction,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s not fair what has happened so far.

“Referee decisions have cost us points and this is something that has been repeated and repeated and what we expect for the Premier League and referees is to correct these mistakes.”

And when asked if he believed there was a vendetta against Forest or if there had simply been a build-up of errors, Marinakis added: “It’s a combination. I hope that it is mistakes, but it’s a repeated mistake and that’s what concerns me.

“If it’s a vendetta it shouldn’t have been a vendetta because you have to be fair, even if you don’t like someone you still have to be fair. It’s a pity because we have a great appetite for the club and I never give up.

“It was very frustrating to see three repeated mistakes that took place from the same player [Everton’s Ashley Young]. Also we had informed the Premier League chairman that… all referees have a preference which team they support. Unfortunately nothing happened and they didn’t make any change and then we saw what we saw.”