Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest entered a rare, heated rivalry after summer legal and social-media disputes over Uefa's decision that demoted Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League, benefiting Forest. Fans of both clubs are preparing for a hostile atmosphere when the teams meet at Selhurst Park. Palace chairman Steve Parish accused Nottingham Forest of playing a crucial role in the demotion after Forest raised Uefa concerns about potential multi-club ownership breaches. Forest supporters and representatives reject that framing, pointing to actions by other parties including John Textor. Evangelos Marinakis may attend, and Palace say he is welcome in the boardroom.
Crystal Palace against Nottingham Forest isn't usually a Premier League fixture that would have the Metropolitan police on red alert. But after a summer spent at each other's throats at the court of arbitration for sport as well as on social media over Uefa's decision to demote Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League, to Forest's advantage, supporters of both clubs are preparing to come face-to-face on Sunday afternoon.
Forest aren't our rivals they're nothing to us, says the Palace fan Chris Waters. But all of a sudden this game has a bitter edge to it. Sanad Attia, AKA Wolfie, who presents the Forest Fan TV YouTube channel, says: We've never really had any kind of issue with Palace I was quite happy for them winning the FA Cup. But they have been wanting to blame everyone but themselves. And in particular, Forest and Evangelos Maranakis.
Forest were accused by the Palace chairman, Steve Parish, of playing a crucial role in their demotion after the Midlands club raised concerns to Uefa in June about Palace potentially being in breach of multi-club ownership rules. As usual, Marinakis is expected to bring his own security if he does make the trip to south London, and Palace insist the Forest owner is welcome in the boardroom.
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