Nuno Espirito Santo reacts to 'confusion' of bizarre Evangelos Marinakis on-pitch spat after Nottingham Forest Premier League draw with Leicester City
Updated 11/05/2025 at 20:37 GMT+1
There was a curious moment following Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester City, which damaged their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch after the full-time whistle to speak to Nuno Espirito Santo and afterwards, the manager cleared up the incident. Forest have qualified for European competition for the first time in 30 years.
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Nottingham Forest slipped up in their bid for UEFA Champions League football next season with a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City on Sunday.
But Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stole the show shortly after the match, when he marched on the pitch to speak to boss Nuno Espirito Santo in a bizarre moment.
Marinakis entered the pitch after the full-time whistle, where a heated exchange followed between the Greek owner and manager Espirito Santo.
The incident came as a surprise to many, with Espirito Santo having already guided the club to European competition next season for the first time in 30 years, despite battling relegation in recent seasons.
It remains to be seen whether they will play in the Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League, but Leicester's late equaliser serves as a significant blow to their chances of reaching the former after spending much of the season in the top four.
After the game, Espirito Santo explained: "It was due to the situation and the confusion over the substitution of [Taiwo Awoniyi]. We made a [different] sub and after that, we played with one man less, so that frustrates everyone. It's obvious.
"When a player is down, you get information that he is okay to continue, then we make a sub and it turns out he can’t continue. We are all frustrated with that.
"Football is emotions. It’s difficult to control. Especially when we had so much expectation and the fans were incredible.
"Let’s go again, it's not in our hands, but it’s not finished."
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Forest could not capitalise on Chelsea's slip up, after they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle at St James' Park, and now sit seventh in the table.
They are one point adrift of The Blues in fifth place with two matches to play, which includes a blockbuster finale against Chelsea on the final day of the season.
Marinakis: Nuno exchange was a 'natural response'
In a statement, Marinakis explained that his angry exhange with Nuno was a "natural" response to Forest's dwindling Champions League aspirations.
He said: "Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again - a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion.
"With two more games to go in the Premier League, we must keep believing and keep dreaming, right to the final kick in the final game. We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we must all celebrate the historic achievements of this season.
"Everybody - coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself - we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff's misjudgement on Taiwo's ability to continue the game.
"This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let's all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming."
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