Marinakis covers $73,000 travel costs for Nottingham Forest fans in Istanbul
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has covered more than £53,000 ($73,000) in additional travel costs to ensure supporters are not left out of pocket for the club’s upcoming European trip to Istanbul.
Forest are set to face Fenerbahce in a highly anticipated European fixture, but travel plans were complicated after local authorities in Istanbul introduced a mandatory transport policy for away supporters.
The ruling requires visiting fans to travel to and from the stadium on designated coaches, creating an unexpected additional expense of around £53,500 ($73,000) for Forest’s travelling support.
In a statement released on the club’s official website, Nottingham Forest confirmed the owner will personally cover the costs, ensuring supporters do not have to pay any travel charge on top of their match tickets.
“The requirement to use mandatory coaches for travel to and from this fixture, imposed by local authorities in Istanbul, will incur additional costs of around £53,500,” the club said.
“As a thank you for your fantastic support, owner Evangelos Marinakis will cover these costs in full to ensure fans are not required to pay a travel charge on top of their match ticket.”
The decision has been warmly welcomed by Forest supporters, many of whom have followed the club across Europe during its return to continental competition.
The gesture underlines Marinakis’ hands-on approach as owner, reinforcing his commitment not only to investment on the pitch and within club infrastructure, but also to the supporter experience during Forest’s European campaign as they continue their push for progress in Europe.
