Forest co-owner confronts Nuno Espirito Santo after draw deals Champions League blow
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Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after picking up an injury in the 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said that “football is emotions”, after club co-owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted him on the pitch following a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City on May 11 that threatens to scupper their hopes of Champions League qualification.
Marinakis remonstrated with Nuno publicly after Facundo Buonanotte’s 81st-minute strike at the City Ground ensured Leicester, already relegated from the Premier League, came away with a point that could prevent Forest from securing a top-five finish.
“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. We are not playing well, we are not defending well and that is never good.”
The Portuguese, explaining why Greek businessman Marinakis had confronted him on the pitch at the end of the game, added: “It was due to the situation and the confusion over the substitution of (the injured Taiwo Awoniyi).
“We made a (different) sub and after that we played with one man less so that frustrates everyone. It’s obvious.
“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. 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.
Nevertheless, their latest result means Forest are assured of a top-seven finish that will end their 29-year wait for European football.
It was only three years ago that the Tricky Trees were promoted after 23 years outside the top flight.
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 for the Foxes. But Buonanotte had the last word, with Marinakis making his feelings clear at the full-time whistle.
Even if Forest win their last two league games, including a final-day meeting with Chelsea, it might not be enough for them to make 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,” insisted Nuno. AFP
