NOTTINGHAM FOREST SET TO BE SOLD IN ONE MONTH

The owner of Nottingham Forest Fawaz Al Hasawi has confirmed that the sale of the club will proceed as planned and could be completed in less than a month. Greece national Evangelos Marinakis, who has several allegations against him in his home country of fixing matches and running a criminal organization, is the likely buyer of the club.

Marinakis owns top Greek club Olympiakos and wants to add Nottingham Forest to his list of owned clubs. He has denied allegations against him and prosecutors are yet to decide if he will stand trial in Greece, BBC reports. Al Hasawi is awaiting the clearance from the Football League for the deal to move forward. The club has refused to move ahead with details regarding prospective buyers but it is certain that the Kuwati businessman who bought the club four years ago will remain as the chairman. Al Hasawi retains his twenty percent stake in the club and will continue as the boss.

Marinakis’ allegations have been on for some time. He was alleged to be involved in the match fixing scandal involving Greek domestic matches between 2011 and 2013. He was accused along with several Greek football officials and referees who he is accused of bribing and blackmailing. One clear instance was that of one referee who refused to cooperate, his bakery was bombed in 2012 but Marinakis has denied any involvement. He was forced to pay £153,942 in bail payment after a hearing in June 2015. He was also banned from active management of Olympiakos and in Greek football as a whole due to his involvements. The business tycoon has to report to the police every 15 days until prosecutors decide if they have enough to move forward. If found guilty Marinakis could get up to ten years in prison.