Nottingham Forest have firmly denied media reports suggesting an altercation took place between club owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
The result at the City Ground left Forest in seventh place, further complicating their aspirations for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Despite the club celebrating its first return to European competition in three decades, post-match footage appeared to show a visibly frustrated Marinakis engaging in a discussion with Espírito Santo on the pitch – an exchange some interpreted as confrontational.
Speaking after the match, Espírito Santo addressed the incident, attributing Marinakis’s frustration to the decision not to substitute injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi. The Forest manager explained the Nigeria international had remained on the field due to a communication breakdown between the club’s medical and coaching staff.
The episode quickly drew criticism from media figures, including Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who suggested Espírito Santo should consider leaving the club. In response, Nottingham Forest issued a strong statement on Tuesday, rejecting the notion of any internal conflict and expressing disappointment at the nature of the commentary.
“There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the club said. “To suggest otherwise is both baseless and ill-informed.”
Forest also appealed for greater responsibility from those within the football community.
“We urge former coaches, players, and public figures to avoid rushing to judgement, particularly when lacking the full facts and context. Reactionary commentary and the spread of misinformation – often driven by a desire for social media attention – do little to serve the interests of the game or its participants, particularly the injured player.”
The club confirmed on Tuesday that Awoniyi had undergone urgent surgery for the abdominal injury sustained during the match and is now recovering well.
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo,” the club wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Forest, currently one point behind fifth-placed Chelsea, are set to face West Ham United this coming Sunday as they continue their pursuit of European qualification.
