Nottingham Forest
Evangelos Marinakis, the prominent owner of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest, has launched a legal battle against Eirini Karypidou, chair of Greek Super League rivals Aris. The lawsuit centers around allegations made by Karypidou, which Marinakis claims are defamatory, including accusations of match-fixing and involvement in a high-profile drug trafficking case. Marinakis vehemently denies these allegations and is seeking damages ranging from £1 million to £5 million, asserting that the claims have severely harmed his reputation.
Mr. Justice Johnson said: “The publications had a defamatory meaning, but that his ruling does not decide who will succeed in the claim, far less whether the claimant is guilty of the conduct alleged in the publications that form the basis of the claim.”
The allegations against Marinakis were disseminated through various platforms, including a website, social media, and mobile billboards, between November 2023 and March 2024. Notably, three articles were published on a website named “nottinghamforestfire.co.uk” in November 2023, followed by several posts on X in December 2023, and six YouTube videos, including titles such as “Marinakis Match Fixer” and “Marinakis Drug Smuggler.” These allegations were also displayed on mobile billboards around Nottingham Forest’s stadium, the City Ground, on two match days. Although these platforms have since been taken down, the impact of the allegations remains a point of contention.
Matthew Hodson, representing Ms. Karypidou, stated: “The social media campaign had limited publication and fared pathetically, and there was no evidence of actual harm to Mr. Marinakis’s reputation.”
The legal dispute traces back to an incident during a match between Olympiacos and Aris in the 2022-23 season. It is alleged that Marinakis approached Theodoros Karypidou, Ms. Karypidou’s brother, to fix a critical game in favor of Olympiacos. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Olympiacos finishing the season in third place, breaking their streak of league victories. The allegations claim that Marinakis threatened Theodoros during the match and subsequently initiated a campaign of intimidation against the Karypidou siblings.
Mr. Matthew Hodson added: “During the game, Mr. Marinakis became so angry that, according to Ms. Karypidou, he threatened that Theodoros would not leave the field alive if Olympiacos lost. At the end of the game, Mr. Marinakis then told Theodoros, ‘you are finished’ and ‘I will destroy you’.”
The case is set for a 10-day trial beginning on March 8, 2027. The outcome remains uncertain, as the court has yet to determine the veracity of the allegations or the extent of any reputational damage suffered by Marinakis. A further hearing could take place later this year, as both parties prepare for the impending trial.
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