NOTTINGHAM, England – Nottingham Forest are taking proactive steps to ensure compliance with UEFA’s evolving multi-club ownership regulations as their Europa League campaign progresses, a situation complicated by owner Evangelos Marinakis’s controlling stake in Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. The club’s recent success in European competition has heightened scrutiny of the ownership structure, forcing Forest to act to avoid potential sanctions.
The issue centers around UEFA rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest when a single owner has influence over multiple clubs participating in the same European tournaments. These regulations aim to maintain the integrity of competition and prevent any undue advantage gained through shared ownership. For the uninitiated, UEFA’s concern is that a single owner could manipulate team selections, transfer strategies, or even match results to benefit their broader portfolio of clubs.
Forest secured their place in the Europa League knockout stages after defeating Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate, despite a narrow 2-1 defeat in the second leg at the City Ground last Thursday. They now face a challenging last-16 tie against Midtjylland, with the first leg scheduled for March 12th at the City Ground, followed by the return match in Denmark on March 19th. Should they advance, potential quarterfinal opponents include Porto or Stuttgart, with Roma and Aston Villa looming as possible semifinal challengers.
The stakes are particularly high for Marinakis, as Olympiacos are also contending for a Champions League berth in the Greek Super League. If both Forest and Olympiacos were to qualify for the same European competition – either the Champions League or the Europa League – Marinakis would be required to relinquish control of one of the clubs for the duration of the tournament. This is a scenario UEFA is keen to avoid, and Forest are working diligently to preempt any issues.
This isn’t the first time Marinakis has taken steps to address these concerns. Last season, as Forest mounted an unexpected push for a top-five finish in the Premier League, Marinakis placed his shares in a blind trust. This arrangement effectively removed him from day-to-day decision-making at the club, ensuring compliance with UEFA regulations at the time. According to filings with Companies House, similar measures have been implemented recently, with Mighael Dugher, Simon Forster, and Jonathan Owen temporarily removed from the board. These changes were made to meet a UEFA deadline at the end of February.
The situation mirrors a recent case involving Crystal Palace, who faced sanctions that ultimately resulted in a relegation to the Conference League – a consequence Forest benefited from, being promoted to the Europa League in the process. Forest are determined to avoid a similar fate, recognizing the importance of maintaining their position in the Europa League and potentially challenging for a historic first European trophy since their back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
While a Europa League title remains a long shot, particularly given the team’s ongoing relegation battle in the Premier League and having already navigated through four managerial changes this season, the club’s proactive approach to UEFA regulations demonstrates a commitment to long-term stability and success. The odds of lifting the trophy in Istanbul on May 20th are slim, but the club is prioritizing compliance to safeguard its future in European competition.
Evangelos Marinakis, a Greek businessman who also owns shipping and media interests, has been a prominent figure in both Greek and English football. He acquired a majority stake in Olympiacos in 2010 and purchased Nottingham Forest in 2017. He has faced scrutiny and allegations of impropriety in the past, but has been acquitted in related cases. Lloyd’s List has consistently ranked him among the most influential figures in the shipping industry.
Looking ahead, Nottingham Forest will require to continue to navigate these complex regulations as their Europa League journey unfolds. The first leg against Midtjylland on March 12th at the City Ground will be a crucial test, and the club will be hoping to build on their recent European success. Fans can follow updates on the club’s official website and social media channels for the latest news and information.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Nottingham Forest is their Europa League last-16 first leg against Midtjylland on March 12th. What do you reckon Forest’s chances are of progressing to the quarter-finals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
