Forest owner reshuffles stake to meet UEFA rules as Champions League qualification looms

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has reshuffled his stake in the club to navigate UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership, as Forest close in on potential Champions League qualification.

The Greek businessman, who also owns Olympiakos and Portugal’s Rio Ave, has relinquished his status as a “person with significant control” at Forest’s parent company, NF Football Investments, according to filings at Companies House.

Instead, his shares have been placed in a blind trust, an arrangement designed to ensure compliance with UEFA rules that prevent clubs with shared ownership from playing in the same European competition.

With both Forest and Olympiakos on track for Champions League spots next season, the changes filed ahead of UEFA’s end-of-April deadline are seen as a preemptive move to avoid regulatory conflicts.

Marinakis is expected to remain as the club’s owner, despite the change in formal control.

Forest are currently sixth in the Premier League, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and with a game in hand, while Olympiakos top the Greek Super League.

As part of the shake-up, Forest co-owner Sokratis Kominakis has rejoined the club’s board.

Former Arsenal sporting director Edu is expected to be appointed to a new global role within Marinakis’ multi-club operation.

Having departed the Gunners last November and completed a notice period, Edu has been working informally and is anticipated to be confirmed in his new post later this summer.

UEFA has previously allowed Manchester City and Girona, both owned by City Football Group, to compete in the Champions League following similar adjustments to their ownership structures.