Nottingham Forest hit back over criticism of owner Evangelos Marinakis over Nuno Espirito Santo clash
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Nottingham Forest co-owner Evangelos Marinakis (left) speaking to manager Nuno Espirito Santo after Forest's drawn match against Leicester City on May 11.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Nottingham Forest have dismissed reports of a heated confrontation between owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their 2-2 English Premier League draw with Leicester City as “fake news”, the club said on May 13.
The draw on May 11 left Forest seventh in the table, with their Champions League hopes slipping away. Although they secured a return to Europe for the first time in 30 years, Marinakis appeared to be fuming when he came onto the pitch and spoke to the manager after the full-time whistle.
Nuno said on May 11 that the incident was due to Marinakis’ frustration over injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi not being substituted.
The Portuguese added that the Nigerian international was left on due to a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical departments.
Greek shipping magnate Marinakis was criticised for his actions following the match, with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville saying Nuno should leave the club.
Forest, however, said in a statement on May 13 that there was no confrontation
“There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the club added in a statement.
“In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment 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.”
Forest also said on May 13 that Awoniyi had undergone urgent surgery for the abdominal injury he suffered in the match. He has reportedly been placed in an induced coma to help his recovery.
The Nigerian was rushed to hospital for the operation only on May 12. There is no suggestion that the 27-year-old’s condition is life-threatening and it is understood the coma will help restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate.
Awoniyi crashed into a post while trying to score in the closing minutes against Leicester. He received several minutes of treatment before being allowed to return to action.
He played on despite being in visible discomfort, as Forest had used all their substitutes.
The extent of Awoniyi’s injury was discovered on May 12 by the club’s medical staff and he was rushed to hospital for the surgery.
“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,” Forest posted on X.
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo.”
Forest, who have 62 points and trail fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Aston Villa by a point, visit West Ham United on May 18.
REUTERS, AFP
