Marinakis Relinquishes Control of Forest to Meet UEFA Regulations

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis relinquishes control of the club to comply with UEFA rules ahead of potential Champions League qualification. Get the latest on Forest's European ambitions.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is relinquishing control of the Premier League club ahead of a potential return to European competition. The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has diluted his control of the club 🌳 pic.twitter.com/Op8Ce9UQya

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 30, 2025

Marinakis, who also owns Olympiacos, has transferred his Forest shares into a blind trust. This decision aligns with UEFA regulations prohibiting individuals from having controlling interests in two clubs participating in the same competition.

Olympiacos have already secured a spot in next season's Champions League, creating a potential conflict of interest if Nottingham Forest, also owned by Evangelos Marinakis, were to qualify for the same competition.

Forest could potentially climb to third in the Premier League with four games remaining if they win their game in hand against Brentford. To address the ownership issue, Marinakis has temporarily placed his Forest shares in a blind trust, a common practice used to comply with UEFA regulations.

This move mirrors a similar step taken by INEOS, the co-owners of Manchester City's rivals Manchester United, who suspended their interest in French club Nice for the season.

Sokratis Kominakis, co-owner of Nottingham Forest, is set to rejoin the club's board as Forest pushes for a top-five finish in the Premier League, which would secure Champions League qualification.

The team, under Nuno Espírito Santo, has made a dramatic turnaround since their return to the Premier League in 2022. After battling relegation in consecutive seasons, Forest is now chasing a spot in Europe's top club competition for the first time in decades.

Their last appearance in the European Cup was in the 1980/81 season when they were the two-time defending champions under legendary manager Brian Clough.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis removes himself from control of the club by withdrawing position at Companies House.

Sky Sports News has been told this could be temporary due to a possible conflict of interest, with Olympiacos set to compete in the UCL next year 📝 pic.twitter.com/8XCGrFvNmu

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 30, 2025

Nottingham Forest co-owner Sokratis Kominakis is returning to the club's board as the team, led by Nuno Espírito Santo, pushes for a top-five finish in the Premier League. Securing one of these spots would guarantee qualification for the Champions League, marking a significant milestone for the club.

Forest's current form represents a dramatic turnaround from their early seasons back in the Premier League. After returning in 2022 and enduring back-to-back relegation battles, the team is now within reach of Europe's top club competition.

A return to the Champions League would be a historic moment for Forest, who last competed in the tournament during the 1980/81 season. Under Brian Clough, Forest were back-to-back European Cup champions, and their legacy as one of Europe’s most successful clubs remains a source of pride for fans.