Nottingham Forest Owner Confronts Manager After Draw Dashes Champions League Hopes

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after a 2-2 draw against Leicester City, a result that jeopardized the club's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. The late equalizer by Leicester sparked Marinakis's visible frustration, leading to a heated exchange with Espirito Santo, who later explained the tension was partly due to an injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi and a communication issue. Despite the confrontation, Espirito Santo credited Marinakis's passion and desire to elevate the club as a driving force behind Forest's impressive campaign, which has seen them challenge for a European spot just a year after battling relegation. The incident drew criticism from figures like Gary Neville, who called Marinakis's behavior "scandalous" and suggested the manager should consider his position. Currently seventh in the Premier League and just one point behind fifth-placed Chelsea with two games remaining, Forest's Champions League ambitions remain uncertain as off-field tensions add to on-field pressures. The club aims to maintain its strong performance and secure European qualification for the first time in nearly three decades.