Nottingham Forest Owner’s Libel Case Against Greek Rival Moves Forward in UK Court

A British judge ruled that Evangelos Marinakis can proceed with his defamation lawsuit over allegations of match-fixing and criminal activity.

Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, is suing Irini Karipidis, chair of Greek football club Aris, for defamation over allegations he denies.
The claims accuse Marinakis of match-fixing, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities, which his legal team describes as a 'smear campaign.'
The alleged defamatory content was published via a website, social media accounts, YouTube videos, and mobile billboards in late 2023, all of which have since been taken down.
Karipidis argues the case lacks merit and claims the allegations stem from a dispute during a 2022-23 football match between Olympiacos and Aris.
A UK High Court judge ruled the case can proceed, citing the seriousness of the allegations and potential harm to Marinakis’s reputation.