The England Football Association (FA) has dismissed the appeal against a five-game stadium ban made by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
According to the federation, the appeal was dismissed to “send a clear message” after Marinakis “undermined respect for the game of football”.
The 57-year-old was found guilty of improper conduct for spitting on the floor as the match officials walked past following Forest’s 1-0 Premier League defeat by Fulham at the City Ground on 28 September.
Evangelos Marinakis, Owner of Nottingham Forest (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Marinakis denied the charge and appealed against the Regulatory Commission’s outcome, before it was later dismissed by an Appeal Board.
In a statement adding clarity to the appeal rejection, the FA said: “Showing such contempt for match officials in a place where that can be seen by other individuals, significantly undermines respect for the game of football.
“Such behaviour is only more serious when it comes from an individual who himself has a position of both power and responsibility within the game.
“It is therefore vital that a clear message is sent that this behaviour will not be tolerated in any part of football.”
