Crystal Palace charged over banner targeting Nottingham Forest owner

LONDON, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Football Association has charged Crystal Palace with misconduct after supporters displayed an offensive banner during the 1-1 Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest on August 24.

The banner depicted Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis holding a gun to the head of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and included a message: "Mr Marinakis is not involved in blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking or corruption."

"It's alleged that the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) didn't behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, insulting and/or provocative way during the fixture. Crystal Palace FC has until Tuesday 11 November to provide a response," read the FA statement.

Marinakis has repeatedly denied any involvement in criminal activities, and Gibbs-White had been the subject of transfer speculation earlier in the summer, with Tottenham reportedly triggering a ￡60m release clause before he signed a new contract with Forest. ■