Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-match stadium ban for spitting on the ground as match officials passed through the tunnel, an independent regulatory commission announced on Tuesday.

The FA suspended Marinakis on Friday for inappropriate behavior during Forest’s 1-0 home defeat to Fulham in the Premier League on September 28, after the committee ruled he was guilty of inappropriate conduct.

The commission explained the reason for Marinakis’ ban, saying there was “no excuse” for such a “blatant display of disrespectful behavior” which could “fuel the lack of respect towards match officials.”

Referee Josh Smith, assistant James Mainwaring and fourth official Tim Robinson said they saw Marinakis spit on the ground in their direction as they walked towards the dressing room.

Marinakis said the incident was unintentional, citing a cough from smoking cigars, but the commission rejected that claim, noting any mention of coughing in the officials’ statements and basing it on footage of video surveillance.

The commission concluded that Marinakis deliberately spat for contempt, calling it a serious offense deserving significant punishment.

Marinakis suggested a ban on the tunnel and locker room, but the committee rejected that proposal, given his limited need to be there after games.

Written reasons from another committee say Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White were suspended for using offensive language towards match officials after the 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on September 22.