Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis insisted his on-field debate with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Leicester was due to his frustration at “the medical staff’s misjudgement” regarding an injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
The Greek stormed onto the pitch following the final whistle at the City Ground to confront Nuno after Facundo Buonanotte’s 81st-minute equaliser earned the already-relegated Foxes a point that took Forest’s bid to qualify for the Champions League out of their own hands.
Nevertheless, Sunday’s result guarantees Forest a top-seven finish that will end the two-time European champions’ near three-decade long exile from continental football.
It was only three years ago that Forest were promoted after 23 years outside the English top flight.
“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,” Marinakis said in a statement.
“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.”
Awoniyi suffered an injury late on but was not replaced before Forest used their last substitution and hobbled through the closing minutes.
“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,” added Marinakis.
“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!”
Nuno said “football is emotions” after a result that could scupper Forest’s hopes of a top-five finish and a place in the Champions League.
“Today is a tough day for everybody connected to the club,” Nuno told Sky Sports.
“(Champions League qualification) was in our hands, it’s no longer in our hands. But we are not playing well, we are not defending well and that is never good.”
Portuguese boss Nuno said Marinakis was upset because of the “confusion” surrounding Awoniyi.
“When a player is down, you get information that he is OK to continue, then we make a sub and it turns out he can’t continue,” said Nuno. “We are all frustrated with that.”
He added: “Football is emotions. It’s difficult to control. Especially when we had so much expectation and the fans were incredible.”
Forest looked on course to qualify for the Champions League at the start of April.
But a run of one win in their last six Premier League games has left them relying on the clubs around them doing them a favour in the final two matches of the campaign.
Chris Wood’s 20th goal of the season put them on course to beat Leicester after Morgan Gibbs-White earlier cancelled out Conor Coady’s opener before Buonanotte had the last word.
Even if Forest win their last two league fixtures, including a final-day clash with Chelsea, it might not be enough for them to qualify for the Champions League unless Aston Villa, Manchester City or Newcastle drop points along the way.
“Let’s go again, it’s not in our hands but it (the season) is not finished,” said Nuno.
