Premier League club owner to stand trial for probe into sports violence

It has been reported that the owner of the Premier League side Nottingham Forest Evangelos Marinakis, will undergo trial for a probe into a possible sports violence case.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, along with four members of the Olympiacos board, is set to face trial on misdemeanour charges linked to an investigation into sports-related violence, following a ruling by a Greek judicial council.

Marinakis, who also serves as the president of Olympiacos in Greece, has firmly denied the allegations, accusing Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and allied media outlets of attempting to blackmail him.

According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the 57-year-old billionaire will stand trial alongside Olympiacos vice-president Giannis Moralis, CEO Dimitris Agrafiotis, and vice-presidents Kostas Karapapas and Michalis Kountouris, as well as several club supporters.

The charges stem from a 2023 incident that occurred four days after Olympiacos played to a 2-2 draw away at Volos. A riot police officer sustained fatal injuries from a flare during violent clashes with Olympiacos fans outside a volleyball venue in Renti, a suburb of Piraeus.

Marinakis, who also owns Alter Ego Media group, maintained his innocence in a detailed statement posted on Olympiacos' official website.

He accused the government of political persecution, saying, “A panicked Prime Minister, together with media outlets propped up by the Mitsotakis regime, are trying to blackmail me and undermine my independence by once again misusing the justice system.”

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