'We are all frustrated' - Marinakis defends 'scandalous' confrontation

It was the last thing that Nuno Espirito Santo needed.

His Nottingham Forest side had just squandered the chance to take a significant step towards securing Champions League football next season by conceding a late equaliser to rivals Leicester City.

The Portuguese coach was shaking hands at full-time with Leicester midfielder Oliver Skipp, who he briefly managed at Tottenham, when Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis intervened.

The Greek businessman, clearly furious at the result, delivered what appeared to be the most public of dressings down to his manager. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville called Marinakis' actions "scandalous".

Marinakis defended his actions in a post-match statement, saying: "We were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo [Awoniyi] 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."

Nevertheless, his confrontation with the manager made for an uncomfortable watch, particularly when you consider the Portuguese coach has taken the club from the brink of relegation in 2024 to European football in 2025.

Nuno was keen to stress that the Greek owner's actions were down to "confusion" over the use of striker Awoniyi.

The Nigerian emerged from the bench following Leicester's late equaliser, charged with finding a winner.

He showed his desperation to score when he slid in at the backpost in the hope of connecting with an Anthony Elanga cross, only to collide with the goalpost.

The 27-year-old was down for several minutes as he received treatment, inadvertently halting any hopes Forest had of quickly restoring their lead.

Awoniyi signalled he was fine to continue, persuading Nuno to leave him on the pitch, instead bringing on Jota Silva for midfielder Elliot Anderson.

But the forward remained in discomfort, which Nuno said infuriated owner Marinakis.

"It [the conversation with Marinakis] was due to the situation and the confusion over the substitution of [Taiwo Awoniyi]," Nuno said.

"We made a [different] sub and after that we played with one man less so that frustrates everyone.

"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.

"Football is emotions. It's difficult to control [and] especially when we had so much expectation and the fans were incredible."

Pushed on whether he was comfortable with being approached in so public a manner by Marinakis, Nuno again praised the owner.

"It is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better," Nuno added.

"It is his passion and desire to be a big club - 30,000 people felt the same today. For sure, many of them would go on the pitch and shake us down.

"Us as a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family."

Nuno's defence might not quieten any criticism of Marinakis.

Speaking on Sky Sports following the match, former Manchester United captain Neville described the Greek's actions as an "absolute joke".

"What the Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous and if I was Nuno I'd be going and having a strong word with him because that is an absolute scandal.

"He's just qualified for European competition. To be remonstrated with on the pitch in front of their own fans is an absolute joke."

The former England defender later posted on X, urging Nuno to "go and negotiate his exit" adding the manager "does not deserve that".

Marinakis' time at Forest has not been without incident since he bought a controlling share in 2017.

The businessman, who also controls Greek team Olympiakos and Portuguese side Rio Ave, has helped to make the club a Premier League force.

The 57-year-old was handed a five-match stadium ban in 2024 after spitting on the floor towards match officials following a 1-0 defeat to Fulham.

He later said he had "no regrets" over his actions because they were due to "big mistakes" by the officials.

In April, documents filed at Companies House showed that Marinakis had ceased to become a "person with significant control" of NF Football Investments Limited, the vehicle that owns the City Ground club.

The Greek had taken the decision to dilute his shares, placing them in a blind trust.

However, he remains Forest owner and is committed to the club. Instead, the move has been seen as a decision taken in preparation for the club potentially qualifying for the Champions League.

Uefa's rules would not allow both Forest and Olympiakos to play in the Champions League next season given both sides are owned by Marinakis.