Nottingham Forest president Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch after the 2-2 draw with Leicester, sparking a heated debate. Greek media now claim Marinakis was furious not just about the result, but also the serious injury to Taiwo Awoniyi.
A Worrying Pattern
Marinakis confronted Nuno Espírito Santo on the field immediately after the game, drawing attention from everyone. Two days later, it emerged that Marinakis was also angry about Awoniyi’s injury, which happened when the Nigerian striker collided with the goalpost. Awoniyi played on despite the injury because Forest had used all their substitutions.
Awoniyi, who cost £17 million when Forest signed him from Union Berlin in 2022, needed emergency surgery. The 27-year-old will be out for a while. Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos, was reportedly furious with Espírito Santo and the medical team for letting Awoniyi stay on the pitch.
A Questionable Decision
Marinakis later tried to explain himself in a message to fans, saying his emotions got the better of him. The incident raises questions about Forest’s handling of player injuries and the pressure on Espírito Santo to get results.
- Awoniyi’s injury happened in a collision with the goalpost.
- He played on despite the injury because Forest had used all their substitutions.
- Marinakis was furious with Espírito Santo and the medical team.
The situation highlights the intense pressure in professional football, where decisions can have significant consequences. Marinakis’ outburst has sparked a wider debate about the priorities of football clubs and their leaders.