Evangelos Marinakis: The Passionate Owner Who Refuses to Let Nottingham Forest Be Pushed Around — And Why VAR Is Once Again Under the Spotlight
When Evangelos Marinakis took over Nottingham Forest in 2017, the club was languishing in mid-table in the Championship, far from its glory days under Brian Clough. Fast forward to 2025, and the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Forest now sit third in the Premier League table, are preparing for an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, and are within touching distance of securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League — a feat no one would have dared to imagine just a few years ago.
But Marinakis’ ownership has never been about quiet progress. He’s never shied away from making bold decisions or sharing his feelings. He’s been described by some as controversial, but by most Forest supporters, he’s regarded as a fierce guardian of the club’s interests — someone who truly cares and refuses to let the team be treated unfairly.
A Man of Big Words — and Bigger Actions
When Forest celebrated promotion in the summer of 2022 after a dramatic playoff final at Wembley, Marinakis stood proudly in Nottingham’s Market Square and declared that he wanted the club to be challenging for “major honours.” At the time, many across the footballing world raised their eyebrows. Forest were only just returning to the Premier League after a 23-year absence. How could a newly-promoted club, even with a wealthy owner, compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal?
But three years on, Marinakis has proven to be a man of his word. The club has not only stayed in the top flight but flourished. Through smart recruitment, major financial backing, and the appointment of strong managerial figures, Forest are now pushing to break into the elite tier of English football. They are in an FA Cup semi-final and look increasingly like genuine contenders for a place at Europe’s top table.
Yet even amidst the success, there’s been a recurring theme that threatens to overshadow the club’s achievements — a frustration with officiating, particularly around the use of VAR.
The Everton Game: A Flashpoint in Forest’s VAR History
Marinakis’ boiling point arguably came last season, in a high-stakes relegation six-pointer against Everton at Goodison Park. In a match that already carried enormous pressure, Forest found themselves on the wrong end of a string of controversial refereeing decisions. The club had already raised concerns before the game — namely that the appointed VAR official was a known Luton Town supporter, a club locked in the same relegation battle.
Despite the warning signs, the match went ahead with the same official, and Forest were denied three clear penalty shouts. The fallout was immediate. Marinakis reportedly held furious conversations with the Premier League and PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), demanding answers and greater accountability. Forest fans shared his anger, and the incident sparked widespread debate about the transparency and neutrality of officiating appointments in key fixtures.
And now, as fate would have it, Forest are preparing to face Everton again — but this time, under very different circumstances. No longer scrapping for survival, the Reds are chasing Champions League qualification and looking to finish the season strongly. Yet, a sense of unease is creeping back in.
The Latest VAR Controversy: Déjà Vu for Marinakis?
Saturday’s game at the City Ground is huge — not just because of the points at stake, but because of who’s been appointed to oversee it. The match referee will be Craig Pawson, someone with a relatively balanced history with Forest. He’s officiated both a 5-0 drubbing at Bournemouth and victories over Leicester and Spurs. In isolation, his appointment wouldn’t raise many eyebrows.
But the real concern — and what’s likely to provoke the strongest reaction from Marinakis — is the VAR official: John Brooks.
Brooks is widely regarded as a competent and rising referee, having even been trusted with officiating this season’s Carabao Cup final. However, he is based in Leicester — a fact that Forest fans and officials alike are unlikely to ignore. With Leicester City chasing promotion from the Championship and still potentially in the mix for European competition depending on final league and FA Cup outcomes, Forest supporters are questioning the wisdom of putting a Leicester-based official in charge of such a pivotal Premier League game involving their club.
What makes this worse is Brooks’ previous involvement in controversial calls against Forest. Most notably, during Forest’s narrow defeat to Fulham earlier this season, Brooks was the VAR when Calvin Bassey clearly fouled Anthony Elanga in the box. Despite the incident being reviewed, Brooks chose not to recommend an on-field review. The decision baffled fans and pundits alike, especially when replays showed significant contact.
Then there’s the recent FA Cup match against Brighton. Forest’s Elliot Anderson was brought down by Kaoru Mitoma inside the box. While a penalty was initially awarded, Brooks again stepped in — this time recommending that the decision be overturned. Despite clear contact from Mitoma’s arm, the penalty was rescinded.
These are not isolated incidents. They paint a picture of a club that feels persistently hard done by — and an owner who refuses to stay silent about it.
VAR and Forest: A Complicated Relationship
To be fair, the 2024/25 season has seen improvements in Forest’s luck and treatment with VAR. Fewer egregious mistakes have gone against them, and they’ve managed to win crucial points without relying on refereeing decisions going their way. This speaks to the maturity of the squad and their improved mentality.
But that doesn’t mean the club has forgotten. Nor has Marinakis. And with so much at stake — Champions League football, European prestige, tens of millions of pounds in revenue — every decision now carries added weight.
Forest fans are hoping that this weekend’s match against Everton will be remembered for the right reasons: a passionate home crowd, a dominant performance, and another step closer to fulfilling Marinakis’ grand vision. But the appointment of John Brooks on VAR threatens to cast a shadow over it.
A Club Reborn — But Still Fighting for Fairness
Nottingham Forest’s resurgence under Evangelos Marinakis has been one of the most compelling stories in recent Premier League history. From the wilderness of the Championship to the cusp of Europe’s elite, the journey has been filled with drama, passion, and a refusal to settle for mediocrity.
But with that progress has come a louder voice — a club that demands respect and fairness. Marinakis is emblematic of that voice. He is a man of immense ambition, but he also demands transparency, integrity, and accountability from those running the game.
As Forest prepare for another potentially season-defining match, all eyes will be not only on the players and manager but on the officials in the control room — and on Marinakis, whose reaction could once again dominate headlines if the events on the pitch echo those of last season.
One thing’s certain: this is not the same old Nottingham Forest. This is a club that’s fighting at the top, with an owner who’s not afraid to shake the foundations of the Premier League if he believes his team is being treated unfairly.
Saturday is more than a match. It’s another chapter in a new era for Nottingham Forest — one defined by ambition, grit, and an unwavering demand for justice.
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