Surely Palace will simply say that they had no prior knowledge of the banner, and did not support or encourage it? They will doubtless accept some responsibility for its display at selhurst park seeing as they've already accepted an FA charge to that effect, but otherwise seek to disassociate themselves from it. Fair enough, too.
The alternative, as put forward by many posts on here, is that palace say the banner is not defamatory as it's content is either a joke, or true.
To pass it off as a joke might, perhaps, work although who are palace to describe it in those terms? After all, they didn't create it, so can only say that they think it's a joke, or took it as one.
Plus, it's clearly a very specific personal attack, even if by humour.
The idea that palace will use this case as an opportunity to expose all of Marinakis wrong doing, spectacularly overturning all the acquittals and not guilty verdicts that followed years and years and Christ knows how much in legal bills, taking a stand on the part of global moral justice and succeeding where law enforcement agencies and investigative journalism have failed, just seems like childish nonsense. On top of everything else, is Parish now Captain America or Erin Brockovich or something? He's going to address this by entangling palace in some interminable long term murk of no benefit to the club, is he? Doubt it.
The 'persons unknown' bit is interesting. I wonder if the location of the banner can be used to identify seat numbers and, thereafter, the people holding the banner? I can't imagine who else it could mean. Those people, if they become subject to proceedings, could offer whatever defence they want, including that the banner is a joke. Perhaps they are well placed to make that case. Doubt it, though. I'd imagine they will end up realising that freedom of speech is not the same as freedom from the consequences of what you say.
I'd imagine this will end with some kind of public apology to Marinakis. All of that performative 'support' and banner waving that seems to have far more to do with self importance than supporting the team, aimed far more at the media who lap it up than the players, will look a bit less authentic and passionate.
Should have just stuck to the established facts about the highly dislikable fat bully, the shocking state of the regulations that led to our demotion from the Europa League, and the shamelessness of a venerable old club like Forest in acting as they did. Christ knows there's enough there to work with for any banner.
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