Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has defended club owner Evangelos Marinakis following a heated post-match confrontation after the team's draw against Leicester City. Forest missed a crucial opportunity to secure a place in next season's Champions League, conceding a late equalizer, which prompted Marinakis to publicly express his disappointment toward Santo during the post-match handshake.

Marinakis later explained his actions, attributing his frustration to the handling of striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury, which he felt led to the team’s inability to regain control after conceding. He described his passion for the club and emphasized that the team should remain optimistic about their upcoming matches, as they are guaranteed some form of European football next season for the first time in 30 years.

Nuno acknowledged that the confrontation stemmed from confusion over Awoniyi’s status on the pitch, as the striker had indicated he could continue playing despite appearing to be in discomfort. He noted that the misunderstanding led to frustration for everyone involved, including Marinakis, who is deeply invested in the club's success. Nuno emphasized that emotions run high in football, especially when expectations are high.

The incident drew mixed reactions, with former player Gary Neville criticizing Marinakis for his public reprimand of Nuno, labeling it "scandalous." In contrast, other analysts suggested that such displays of passion should not overshadow the overall achievements of the season, with Nuno managing to steer the club to significant heights despite the current frustrations.

As the season nears its conclusion, Forest remains focused on their goals, with Nuno and Marinakis both expressing a commitment to the club's growth and a hopeful outlook for the future.