Premier League: Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis Furious With Manager Nuno Espirito Santo Over Awoniyi Injury; Video

owner Evangelos Marinakis was angry after the team’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday. After the match, he walked onto the pitch and showed his frustration, mainly because striker Taiwo Awoniyi wasn’t taken off after picking up an injury. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said Marinakis was upset that Awoniyi stayed on the field despite being hurt.

Nottingham Forest’s owner having a go at Nuno Espírito Santo

After the season this man gave you? That’s actually disgraceful.#NFFC #EPL #FPLCommunity

pic.twitter.com/aA6IWyFDqU

— Bearded 🇹🇹 (@BeardedUTD) May 11, 2025

The result left Forest in seventh place in the Premier League, which puts their Champions League hopes in danger. However, the team has still done something special they’ve qualified for European football for the first time in 30 years.

Awoniyi had come on late in the game as Forest pushed for a winning goal. But he slammed into the post during a quick counter-attack and had to get treatment. Although he came back on, he was clearly limping and wasn’t able to help the team much after that.

Ouch I bet that fucking hurt Awoniyi smashed into the post #NFOLEI pic.twitter.com/UChuDeTJyZ

— Mark Windham (@MarkCAFC1905) May 11, 2025

Forest had already used all their substitutions shortly after the injury, so they couldn’t bring him off. Nuno said the owner’s reaction was understandable.

Marinakis later released a statement to explain what happened: "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!" he said.

"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!"

Nottingham Forest back in Europe

Forest were in third place for much of the season in what has been a dream campaign. But a late goal from Leicester’s Facundo Buonanotte, even though they’ve already been relegated, saw Forest fall to seventh.

Still, they are just one point behind Chelsea, who are fifth. Forest play Chelsea at home on the final day of the season, keeping their hopes of a top-five finish alive