Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-match stadium ban for "improper conduct" following an incident where he was found guilty of spitting near referee Josh Smith in the tunnel after a defeat to Fulham. The decision, made on October 18, comes after Marinakis denied the charge during a hearing, with the full judgment released on October 22.
The charge stemmed from an incident described by referee Smith, who reported that Marinakis spat on the floor next to his left foot as he walked down the tunnel. This act was witnessed by assistant referee James Mainwaring and fourth official Tim Robinson. Marinakis contended that he merely coughed, attributing the incident to his smoking habit and a cough he was experiencing at the time.
His defense argued that he often needs to expectorate and that if he does spit, he typically uses a tissue. On the day of the incident, he claimed he was taking lozenges for his cough and did not intentionally spit at the referee. However, the FA disagreed, stating that video footage did not support Marinakis's claims of coughing and emphasized that he failed to cover his mouth, a common courtesy when coughing near others.
Marinakis was absent from the City Ground during Forest's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace while the club appealed his ban.
Juventus manager Thiago Motta expressed his satisfaction with his team's depth after a dramatic 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The match was tightly contested until substitute Samuel Mbangula scored a decisive late goal to secure the win for the Italian side.
Motta highlighted the importance of squad rotation and the ability of his substitutes to influence games, stating, "A strong bench is what separates great teams from good teams. Every player must be ready to step in and make an impact."
Juventus’ ability to rely on fresh legs late in the game proved crucial, as they absorbed PSV’s pressure before finishing the match on the front foot.
With Juventus aiming for success both domestically and in Europe, Motta emphasized the role of squad depth in maintaining consistency throughout a demanding season.
He praised the performances of his substitutes, particularly Mbangula, saying, "Samuel showed great composure and quality when it mattered most. This is the mentality we need in every player."
PSV, meanwhile, rued missed opportunities and defensive lapses that led to their downfall.
Juventus captain Danilo also weighed in on the importance of the team's collective effort, adding, "It’s not just about the starting eleven; it’s about the whole squad being ready. Everyone played their part in this win."
With this victory, Juventus continues to build momentum, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the Champions League.
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