Forest owner Marinakis caught in explosive courtroom-style spat at basketball arena

The owner of Nottingham Forest Football Club, Evangelos Marinakis, was filmed on Saturday night in a courtroom-style altercation with rival supporters during a British Basketball League match at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.

Leicester Police confirmed on Sunday that officers were called to the arena at 8:47 p.m. following reports of a disturbance involving a group of individuals, understood to include Marinakis. The force said officers attended and spoke with those involved before the situation was resolved. No arrests were made at the scene, but inquiries remain ongoing.

Witnesses described a rapid escalation from verbal exchanges to physical contact between Marinakis and rival fans. Video footage, widely circulated on social media, shows Marinakis shoving a man in a dark jacket before being restrained by security personnel. The man retaliates with a push, prompting further intervention from stewards. The altercation lasted less than 30 seconds but was captured from multiple angles by spectators.

Marinakis, who has been Nottingham Forest’s owner since 2017, has a history of high-profile clashes with rival fans, including previous altercations in Greece and England. In 2019, he was involved in a widely publicized incident outside a hotel in Athens, where he was seen slapping a fan. Forest’s board has not commented on the latest episode, and Marinakis has not issued a statement.

Leicester City Council, which operates the Morningside Arena, declined to comment on whether venue protocols were followed during the incident. The BBL confirmed the match proceeded as scheduled after a brief delay, with Leicester Riders securing a 92-85 victory over the London Lions.

The Metropolitan Police’s public order unit has been notified, though the primary investigation remains with Leicestershire Police due to the location of the incident. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and social media videos to identify all individuals involved. A police spokesperson confirmed that while no immediate charges are expected, further action could follow pending evidence review.

Fan safety groups have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of stadium behavior policies, particularly for owners and executives attending matches. The Football Supporters’ Association issued a statement calling for clearer guidelines on how clubs manage the presence of high-profile individuals in fan zones. “Owners and directors should lead by example,” the FSA said. “Aggressive behavior sets a dangerous precedent and undermines fan confidence.”

Police have urged anyone with footage or information to come forward as inquiries expand. Leicestershire Police confirmed they are liaising with Nottingham Forest FC regarding the incident, though the club has not responded to requests for comment. As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains on how such confrontations are prevented in future sporting events.