The owner of Nottingham Forest Evangelos Marinakis defended his decision to confront Nuno Espirito Santo manager on the field after the 2-2 draw on Sunday with Leicester City, describing his frustrations as “natural”.
Forest conceded late against the already raised foxes and is now faced with a difficult battle to qualify for the Champions League. The draw has made it possible to play European football in a kind next season, but the Nuno team is now seventh in the classification of the Premier League with two games to play.
The disappointment towards the team’s performance saw Marinakis leave the stands and enter the field after the final whistle for an uncomfortable exchange with Nuno – a decision that aroused important criticism from fans on social networks.
Seeking to defend his actions, Marinakis suggested confusion surrounding an injury to the striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who came as a late substitute but quickly took a problem which actually transformed him into a passenger for the rest of the game, was at the origin of his frustrated decision.
“Today is a day for the celebration, because after 30 years, Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed again on the European scene – a promise that I made to our supporters when we got the promotion!” Said Marinakis.
“With two other games to do in the Premier League, we must continue to believe and dream, just at the final kick in the last match. We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we must all celebrate the historical achievements of this season.
“Everyone – coaches staff, players, supporters and inclusion myself – we were frustrated by Taiwo’s injury and the poor assessment of medical staff on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.
“It’s natural, it’s a demonstration of passion that we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and continue to dream!”
Rather than replacing Awoniyi in the dying embers, Forest made a different change while Jota Silva came to Elliot Anderson in the 91st minute, despite the fact that the attacker could barely run after a collision with the post.
“It was disappointing for everyone. Unfortunately, we had to play the last ten minutes with one less man. [Awoniyi] I tried but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team, “said Nuno.
“There was a misunderstanding between coaches staff and medical service. We had the head to make a submarine, then tried but he couldn’t.”
During Marinakis’ reaction, Nuno added: “[There was] Disappointment and frustration, of course. But it is because of the owner and his passion that we grow as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better. It is his passion and his desire to be a big club – 30,000 people have felt the same thing today. Of course, many of them would go on the field and shake us.
“We as a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family. I am in football so many years as a player and as a coach. It is passion and desire. The players feel it, we feel it and the fans feel it. We must do better. Today, it was our obligation to do better.”
Read the latest news and transfer gossip around the world
