มารินาคิสลดอำนาจควบคุมทีมฟอเรสต์เพื่อเพิ่มทุนและเสริมสร้างความแข็งแกร่งให้สโมสรในพรีเมียร์ลีก เป้าหมายคือสร้างการเติบโตที่ยั่งยืนและเพิ่มความสำเร็จในสนามแข่งขัน

    Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek owner of Nottingham Forest, has diluted his control over the club to comply with UEFA regulations concerning multi-club ownership. Under UEFA's rules, clubs with the same owner cannot compete in the same European competition. Marinakis also owns Olympiakos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal. With Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos both on the cusp of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, the changes were necessary to prevent a conflict.

    Documents from Companies House reveal that Marinakis is no longer a "person with significant control" of NF Football Investments Limited, which owns Nottingham Forest. He has transferred his shares into a blind trust, ensuring compliance with UEFA rules. Although Marinakis has stepped back, he remains committed to the club. This move aligns with UEFA’s regulations, requiring alterations to ownership structures by the end of April. Sokratis Kominakis, Forest's co-owner, has rejoined the club's board in light of these changes.

    Forest is currently sixth in the Premier League, level with fifth-placed Chelsea, with a game in hand. Olympiakos leads the Greek league, set for Champions League qualification. This situation mirrors that of Manchester City and Girona, cleared to compete in the Champions League after rearranging control under the City Football Group ownership.

    Amid these developments, former Arsenal sporting director Edu is slated to assume a global role within Marinakis' multi-club model. Edu departed Arsenal in November and has been informally active since, with his formal appointment expected soon.

    UEFA will evaluate Marinakis' compliance to determine whether Nottingham Forest can participate in European competitions. Historical precedents from clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Brighton show adjustments in ownership to meet UEFA stipulations. These measures are crucial to prevent conflicts if Olympiakos and Forest enter the same competition.

    The strategic decision to use a blind trust allows Nottingham Forest’s daily operations to be managed independently, without direct influence from Marinakis. This approach ensures fairness and integrity, both key for UEFA and FIFA, especially with impending expansions in international competitions like the Club World Cup.

    Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, noted that Marinakis’s actions are a strategic move to future-proof Forest within UEFA's regulations. The changes eliminate potential conflicts of interest, setting a clear path for Forest as they aim for a spot in Europe’s elite competitions. The compliance step is seen as beneficial for stakeholders, including shareholders, fans, and broadcasters, ensuring transparency and fairness in international club competitions.