Super Eagles star caused my fallout with Espirito Santo – Nottingham Forest owner

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has revealed the real reason behind his on-pitch confrontation with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Soccernet.ng reports.

Yesterday, a video circulating on social media showed the Greek business tycoon expressing his frustration with the former Wolves coach following their 2-2 draw against Leicester City.

However, the Greek businessman later clarified the events in a statement released via his official social media channels.

“Today is a day for celebration, because after thirty 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!” Marinakis wrote.

Watch the video here:

Qué vergüenza me da esto.

Evangelos Marinakis, dueño del Nottingham Forest, ha saltado al campo para reprocharle el resultado de hoy a Nuno Espirito Santo, que los ha tenido en puestos europeos toda la temporada… Qué imagen más bochornosa.pic.twitter.com/1mto5n3uaK

— Álvaro de Grado (@AlvarodeGrado) May 11, 2025

Marinakis admitted frustration over how Awoniyi’s injury was handled during the match—as he was not substituted when they were looking for a goal—which sparked the heated exchange with Nuno.

“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.”

The Nigerian forward, who has struggled with fitness this season, was reportedly eager to continue playing, but the club's medical staff made a different call, which led to a visible tension on the touchline.

With two games left in the Premier League season, Forest are looking to finish hope to finish the season on a high note, having secured European qualification for the first time in 30 years.