Why Nottingham Forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis Stormed the Pitch After 2-2 Leicester Draw

Evangelos Marinakis . Photo. Imago

Why Nottingham Forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis Stormed the Pitch After 2-2 Leicester Draw

Evans Ousuru 09:00 - 12.05.2025

Reason for Nottingham Forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis storming into the field after the final whistle against Leicester City revealed.

Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the City Ground pitch to speak to Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes threatened to turn to dust.

The Forest owner appeared to be furious after Forest could only draw 2-2 with already-relegated Leicester, meaning that two wins from their final two games might not even be enough to secure a place in Europe's premier club competition – even though this point is virtually certain to ensure Forest compete in European football next term.

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Marinakis marched on to the playing surface and approached Nuno, in extraordinary scenes after the final whistle according to the Daily Mail.

However, he was not remonstrating with the Forest boss, rather he was expressing his frustration at the injury situation surrounding substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.

Awoniyi had come on in the 83rd minute for Ibrahim Sangare as Forest searched for a winner but the 27-year-old forward needed treatment when he clattered into the far post on a quick counter-attack.

Although he rejoined the game minutes later, he was limping around as Forest failed to find the goal needed to move up to fifth.

Awoniyi had been checked by club medical staff and Marinakis was left frustrated that he was cleared to carry on, particularly after Nuno had probed with the medical staff twice.

Forest subsequently made another substitute, meaning that even though Awoniyi was struggling, he could now not be replaced.

"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," Marikanis said.

Champions League hope dashed

Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Photo. Imago

Last month a boardroom reshuffle saw Marinakis place his shares in Forest in a blind trust, in order to meet UEFA rules if Forest and his other club, Olympiacos, both qualify for the Champions League.

That possibility now looks increasingly remote, with Forest likely to have to settle for a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

Sunday's result means Forest have won just one of their last six Premier League games.

The club spent the majority of the season in the top three but now find themselves down in seventh with two games remaining.

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