A video that has been circulating on social media shows Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek billionaire who controls both Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, caught in a heated exchange during the EuroLeague final in Athens.
The altercation in the arena
The footage, recorded from the stands, captures Marinakis wearing a torn shirt, gesturing animatedly while a barrier and security staff separate him from another man. The other party has been identified by Greek outlets as Grigoris Dimitriadis, a former senior aide to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Marinakis, 58, was in the capital to watch his basketball side Olympiacos defeat Real Madrid 92‑85, a result that sparked celebration among the club’s supporters. The same evening, the Forest owner’s dual allegiance was evident as he moved between the basketball arena and the Premier League ground where his football team was concluding its season.
A season decided on the final day
Later that night, Nottingham Forest played out a 1‑1 draw with Bournemouth, a result that secured a 16th‑placed finish in the English top flight and guarantees another season in the Premier League.
BBC Sport reached out to Forest for comment on the incident, but the club has yet to issue a public statement. The episode has reignited discussion about the influence of wealthy owners in both Greek and English sport, and how their off‑field conduct can spill into the public arena.
While the basketball victory was celebrated on the court, the altercation underscores the pressures that accompany high‑stakes ownership, especially when personal and political connections intersect with sporting triumphs.