’Big stadium’ plans are hinted at by owner Marinakis
OWNER Evangelos Marinakis appears to have dropped a hint about Nottingham Forest’s City Ground future.
The Reds are considering relocating to a new site amid a dispute with Nottingham City Council, who own the land the stadium is built on. There is an ongoing row between the parties over rent and a new lease.
A move would see Forest abandon plans, first announced in 2019, to redevelop the City Ground and increase its capacity. Chairman Tom Cartledge said this week that “due diligence” was being done on “several” alternative sites, including in Toton.
Marinakis was asked about his dream for the Reds when speaking to BBC Sport after Olympiacos, who he also owns, beat Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. He said he wants to “build a big stadium”, although it is not clear whether he was referring to a new one or redeveloping the City Ground.
“I think we have achieved great things,” the Greek said. “Now you will see that we want to build a big stadium and a new training centre.
“It is a great thing. It is a team that inspires us and we want to do more. You will see in the years to come that we also have big dreams for Forest, and it is the right thing to have such dreams.”
Forest’s existing lease on the City Ground site has 33 years left on it and talks about a new 250-year one have hit a stalemate. The council are said to want to increase the rent to £1 million from £250,000. Marinakis has also expressed his frustration over how refereeing decisions have “cost” Forest points this season.
The Reds have been on the end of a number of controversial calls in their battle to avoid relegation. On more than one occasion they have sent a letter of complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Their exasperation with officials came to a head after last month’s 2-0 defeat at Everton. Forest were left furious at having three penalty appeals against Ashley Young waved away and questioned the integrity of VAR Stuart Attwell in an angry tweet after the full-time whistle.
“It’s not fair what has happened so far,” Marinakis told BBC Sport. “Referee decisions have cost us points and this is something that has been repeated and repeated and what we expect for the Premier League and referees is to correct these mistakes.
“It’s a pity as we have a great appetite for the club and I never give up.”
Marinakis has admitted it has been a “stressful” period for Forest amid their points deduction.
The Reds were charged with breaking Profitability and Sustainability Rules in January and the saga only came to a conclusion earlier this week. Forest were docked four points in March, had their appeal against the sanction heard in April and then discovered the original verdict had been upheld on Tuesday.
The club were found to have breached their permitted £61m threshold of losses by £34.5m. Unsuccessful in their appeal, they remain three points above the drop zone with two games to go.
Marinakis is confident Forest will avoid relegation as they prepare to host Chelsea today and has spoken of his “big dreams” for the club’s future. But the PSR situation and a number of refereeing controversies this season have made for a tough time.
“It is stressful because of what has been happening since the beginning of the year with some decisions and points deduction,” Marinakis told BBC Sport.