Evangelos Marinakis’ Forests’ pride as a strong message sent in a bid to tackle racism…

Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has long been committed to promoting equality in football. He recently organized a conference at the City Ground, in collaboration with the Weatherhead Center at Harvard University and the Lilian Thuram Foundation, aimed at addressing racism and gender inequality in European football. Several current players, including Harry Toffolo and Anthony Elanga, spoke at the conference about the importance of ending discrimination. Marinakis expressed pride in their willingness to speak out against racism and emphasized the need for a strong reaction to such incidents.

The conference also featured football legends like Thierry Henry and Christian Karembeu, who shared their experiences and insights. Marinakis believes that hearing from these respected figures can empower young athletes to confront racism and discrimination. He hopes that other clubs will follow Nottingham Forest’s lead in taking proactive measures to address these issues.

Marinakis stated that he would support Forest players if they chose to walk off the pitch in response to racist abuse. He emphasized the importance of institutions taking such matters seriously and implementing effective measures to combat racism. He compared temporary solutions, like providing food and clothing to the homeless, to addressing racism in football, stressing the need for long-term solutions and systemic change.

When asked about the role of sanctions in combating racism, Marinakis emphasized the importance of education and changing attitudes over time. He believes that sanctions alone will not solve the problem and that a permanent solution requires a shift in societal attitudes and values. He also expressed support for creating opportunities for black coaches and managers, emphasizing that everyone should be treated equally regardless of their race.

Marinakis is proud of Nottingham Forest’s efforts to tackle racism and gender inequality in football. He believes that education, along with strong leadership and proactive measures, is key to creating a more inclusive and equitable sport.