Nottingham Forest insist there was no ‘confrontation’ between Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno Espirito Santo after their draw to Leicester.
The club’s owner was seen cutting an animated figure as he spoke to manager Nuno on the pitch following the final whistle on Sunday in a match that also saw Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi suffer a worrying injury.
AFPForest have denied there was a confrontation between Marinakis and Nuno[/caption]Awoniyi has since undergone surgery on the abdominal injury he suffered, with the club confirming the striker is recovering well.
Forest have also refuted suggestions that Marinakis lost his temper with Nuno.
Their statement read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.
“The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.
“At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner.
“To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club — it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us.
“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday.
“His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own.
“He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.
“In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.
Awoniyi nastily collided with a goal post as he battled Leicester’s Facundo Buonanotte for the ballAFP The injury was much worse than first thought with Awoniyi requiring urgent surgery on MondayGetty“In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.
“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain -something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch.
“It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him.
“He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.
“The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium.
“There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.
“In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context.
“Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one — least of all the injured player.
“We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.
“At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence — over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion.
“In moments like these, the game must unite around those who put their bodies and minds on the line every week. That’s what real leadership looks like in our game.”
Marinakis had appeared on the pitch moments after the 2-2 draw with the Foxes, which confirmed Forest’s European qualification.
Nuno’s side are guaranteed a first continental campaign for 29 years after securing a top seven finish this season.
It comes eight years after Marinakis first bought the club back in 2017.
The Greek businessman has since overseen their return to the Premier League, with their stay now set for a fourth successive season.
Forest are guaranteed to appear in the Conference League next term but could still qualify for the Champions League with two matches remaining.
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