Robbery Incident Involving Al-Hasawi Raises Concerns Among Business Community

omidbasir- According to reports from The Sun, a violent robbery occurred earlier this month targeting Fawaz Al-Hasawi, the former owner of Nottingham Forest. Allegedly, Al-Hasawi was asleep when intruders broke into his bedroom, leading to a confrontation in which the 57-year-old sustained stab wounds to his left hand and other injuries to his neck. Images shared on social media depict him receiving treatment in a hospital, with bandages visible on his injuries.

It remains unclear whether the assailants managed to steal any valuables from Al-Hasawi’s residence, located in the Mayfair district of London, before fleeing the scene post-altercation.

In light of the attack, Al-Hasawi’s legal representatives have urged the Metropolitan Police to release further details about the incident, expressing concerns that other Middle Eastern businessmen might also be at risk of similar attacks. The Metropolitan Police have stated that their investigation is ongoing but assured the public that Al-Hasawi did not suffer any life-threatening or life-altering injuries during the home invasion.

Reflecting on Al-Hasawi’s tumultuous tenure at Nottingham Forest, it’s noteworthy that his five years at the club were marked by significant instability. The club oscillated between being contenders for promotion and flirting with relegation, resulting in the employment of nine different managers during his leadership.

In 2017, following a series of protests during his final years, Al-Hasawi sold Nottingham Forest to Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis, who subsequently led the club back to the Premier League in 2022.

Despite Forest’s successful return to the Premier League under Marinakis, he has faced criticism regarding his management this season. The team, which qualified for the Europa League after finishing seventh last season, has already cycled through three managers—Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche—before appointing Vitor Pereira as their fourth manager for the 2025-26 season.

Nevertheless, Marinakis remains a popular figure among Forest fans. Former player Rob Earnshaw commented positively on Marinakis’s hands-on approach, stating, “When Mr. Marinakis comes onto the pitch and greets players in the tunnel, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.”

Earnshaw emphasized that in Greek football culture, owners are expected to engage directly with players and the club’s activities, asserting that Marinakis has invested significantly, not just financially but personally, in the club’s success. He underscored the importance of personalities in football, stating, “Football is about personalities, so I love that. They shouldn’t just be sat there and you never hear from them in the box.”