Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-match suspension for spitting on the ground as match officials walked past him following their 1-0 defeat to Fulham last month.

The ban was confirmed last week after an independent regulatory commission reviewed the case following a Football Association (FA) misconduct charge. The commission has now provided its reasons for the decision, supported by the testimonies of those involved.

Referee Josh Smith, assistant James Mainwaring, and fourth official Tim Robinson all stated that Marinakis spat on the ground near them as they walked through the tunnel to their dressing room.

Marinakis, however, denies intentionally spitting at the officials, claiming he had a cough and spat on the ground to his right, away from their path.

In his defense, Marinakis explained that he smokes two to three cigars daily and often needs to clear his throat or cough, which can sometimes result in spitting. On the day of the incident, he was suffering from a persistent cough and was using lozenges.

Despite Marinakis’ explanation, the match officials rejected his version of events, maintaining that he deliberately spat rather than coughed.

The independent commission sided with the officials, stating: “We categorically reject Marinakis’ account that his spitting was a result of a cough. We are convinced he deliberately spat on the ground as the referee passed by, and his attempt to explain the act is completely implausible.”

The commission concluded that Marinakis’ actions amounted to misconduct under Rule E3 and highlighted his role as a football club owner as an aggravating factor, stating, “His behavior was entirely unacceptable and warrants severe punishment.”

Marinakis has already served one game of his suspension during Forest’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. He will miss upcoming fixtures against Leicester City, West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Arsenal. Additionally, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo remains banned for two more matches due to a separate FA charge.