Nottingham Forest lawyers confirm Marinakis stadium ban trigger after Nuno confrontation
Evangelos Marinakis’ post-match confrontation with Nuno Espirito Santo overshadowed Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Forest‘s hopes of Champions League qualification took a hit as their already relegated local rivals came back to equalise in the last 10 minutes, and the Reds missed the chance to climb back into the top five.
Nuno’s side sit seventh in the Premier League table with two matches to play, after Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood’s goals weren’t enough to see off a Leicester side who’ve won just five games this term.
However, after Marinakis stormed the City Ground pitch at full-time and delivered some choice words for Nuno, Forest fans are fearful that their recent collapse in form could result in the manager being sacked.
Marinakis has form for aggressive post-match antics and has already allowed his frustrations to boil over this season, and the Forest owner’s bizarre outburst towards Nuno could have risked further sanctions.
Marinakis to avoid stadium ban at Nottingham Forest
Marinakis was hit with a five-game stadium ban in September for spitting next to match officials after a home loss to Fulham, and Stefan Borson told Football Insider that the Forest owner was lucky not to be given a longer suspension.
Nuno and the Forest faithful will have been equally taken aback by Marinakis’ bizarre post-match antics on Sunday, yet despite previous incidents this term, the 57-year-old is set to avoid another punishment.
| Nottingham Forest | Statistics | Leicester City |
| 2 | Goals | 2 |
| 1.30 | xG | 1.05 |
| 4 / 15 | Shots on Target | 6 / 10 |
| 56% | Possession | 44% |
| 4 | Corners | 4 |
The Guardian reported on 11 May that Forest’s lawyers have confirmed that Sunday’s post-match confrontation with Nuno won’t trigger any further sanctions for Marinakis related to his behaviour last September.
Marinakis has already taken steps to avoid a conflict of interest should Forest bounce back to reach the Champions League, and last month relinquished official control of the club due to his existing ownership of Olympiacos, who have already qualified.
Champions League crucial for Nottingham Forest transfer plan
Although Forest’s disappointing draw with Leicester leaves them as outsiders to secure Champions League football, the point they won means the City Ground will host some European football next term.
However, Marinakis and Forest are hopeful of a Champions League windfall in order to spend big this summer, and failure to reach Europe’s elite could affect the Reds’ ability to keep their star players.
Football Insider revealed on 10 May that Manchester City’s interest in Morgan Gibbs-White has left the midfielder “flattered”, and in order to prevent their talisman’s departure this summer, Champions League qualification is a must sat the City Ground.