12/05/2025
🚨💣🧨Awoniyi caused altercation between Nottingham Forest owner and manager
Nottingham Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, were involved in an altercation at full time against Leicester City
Tensions boiled over at the City Ground on Sunday as Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City sparked a heated confrontation between club owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The source of the drama was an injured Taiwo Awoniyi staying on the pitch far too long, leaving Forest effectively playing with ten men during a crucial phase of the match.
Owner storms pitch over Awoniyi decision
Forest were chasing a vital winner to keep their Champions League hopes alive when Awoniyi, who had come off the bench, crashed into the post on a breakaway.
Limping and clearly struggling, the Nigerian forward continued playing despite being visibly unable to continue the match.
Owner Marinakis stormed onto the pitch after the final whistle to confront Espirito Santo about the decision not to substitute Awoniyi.
The manager later explained there had been confusion over the striker’s condition and that by the time it became clear he couldn’t continue, there was no stoppage available to make the change. “We played with one man less,” Nuno admitted. “That causes frustration—it’s obvious.”
Frustration builds as Nottingham Forest’s form falters
While Nottingham Forest have achieved a milestone return to European competition for the first time in 30 years, the draw felt more like a defeat.
The club has now won just one of its last six Premier League matches, and their top-five hopes are quickly slipping away.
Nuno couldn’t explain the team’s dip in form, brushing aside nerves or anxiety as causes. “It was in our hands—and it isn’t now,” he lamented.
With two games to go in the Premier League season, Nottingham Forest must improve their form to stand any chance of making it to the Champions League this season.
