Nottingham Forest owner facing charges reportedly linked to smuggling heroin

A Greek prosecutor confirmed late on Friday that Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis faces "very serious charges," with the Guardian's Helena Smith believing they are linked to a failed attempt to smuggle 2.1 tonnes of heroin into Piraeus in 2014.

In addition to his connection to the three-year investigation into the Noor 1, shipowner businessman Marinakis has also apparently been charged with financing an illegal operation. Three close associates of Marinakis appear on the charge sheet.

"I have never had anything to do with the acts for which an investigative inquiry is to be conducted, the result of which I am absolutely certain to be the confirmation of my innocence," Marinakis said in a statement on Olympiacos' website, as translated by BBC Sport.

In 2015, the 50-year-old was acquitted of complicity in a match-fixing network that extended to seven countries, according to Smith. He blamed the accusations on people "jealous" of his success in the top seat at Olympiacos. He purchased the club in 2010, and has since seen his business interest capture seven consecutive Superleague titles. AEK Athens currently possesses a one-point advantage atop the Greek top flight, but the situation may change when the full repercussions of PAOK Thessaloniki's owner recently carrying a gun onto the field to dispute a disallowed goal are decided.

Marinakis took over Nottingham Forest in May 2017, and was hoped to usher in a period of stability following the turbulent years under the Al-Hasawi family's wing. Mark Warburton was given funds to purchase Daryl Murphy, Jason Cummings, Tendayi Darikwa, Liam Bridcutt, and Barrie McKay last summer, but was sacked on New Year's Eve with the club positioned 14th in the Championship.

Warburton's successor, Aitor Karanka, is two places lower in the table, but can rest on a 13-point cushion above the drop zone.