Nottingham Forest Dismiss Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno Confrontation as ‘Fake News’

Club Defends Owner’s Pitch Involvement After Leicester Draw, Citing ‘Emotional Investment’ in Injured Star

In the ever-theatrical world of Premier League football, appearances can be deceiving — and Nottingham Forest insist that’s exactly what happened at the City Ground on Sunday. After a dramatic 2-2 draw with Leicester City, footage circulated of what looked like a tense exchange between Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

But according to the club, what the public thought they saw wasn’t what actually happened.

Forest have moved quickly to quash speculation of a “confrontation,” calling the media and online reaction “fake news” and stressing that the Greek owner’s behaviour stemmed not from frustration at the result or the manager, but from a deep concern for one of his players — Taiwo Awoniyi — who would later undergo emergency surgery that night.

A Misunderstood Moment on the City Ground Pitch

Nottingham Forest deny confrontation between owner Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno Espirito Santo calling the reaction to it ‘fake news

The supposed flashpoint took place moments after the final whistle. Nuno, who led Forest through a tense affair with relegation rivals Leicester, was seen shaking hands with Oliver Skipp — the midfielder he briefly managed during his short stint at Tottenham. As Nuno exchanged pleasantries, cameras picked up Marinakis striding across the pitch, looking animated, gesturing, and engaging in what many perceived to be a direct confrontation with his coach.

The image, in isolation, spread quickly online. Pundits weighed in. Former players shared their thoughts. The narrative spiralled — an irate owner, a public dressing down, and hints of tension inside the club at a critical stage of the season.

But Forest say that version of events is fiction.

“There was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium,” the club said in a statement issued on Monday. “We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context.”

The Awoniyi Concern at the Heart of Marinakis’ Reaction

So what did happen? According to Forest and Nuno himself, the owner’s emotion stemmed from concern over striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was visibly limping toward the end of the match yet remained on the pitch. It later emerged that the Nigerian forward had suffered an injury serious enough to require urgent surgery late on Sunday night.

Speaking after the game, Nuno downplayed the incident and emphasised that Marinakis’ reaction had been misunderstood.

“There was confusion around Taiwo’s situation,” Nuno said. “The owner came on because he cares. He didn’t know exactly what happened and there was worry. That’s all.”

Forest echoed that sentiment in their statement, saying: “The actions of Mr Marinakis stemmed from his deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in Taiwo and in the club as a whole. Any suggestion otherwise is not only false but damaging.”

A Club in a Fight, on and off the Pitch

Forest’s public response comes at a delicate time in the season. With the club still fighting to secure their Premier League status, the last thing they need is internal instability — or the perception of it. Nuno was brought in last December after the sacking of Steve Cooper, and while results have been mixed, there have been signs of resilience.

The 2-2 draw against Leicester — another club fighting for their lives — was emblematic of Forest’s season. Moments of promise, flashes of quality, but also lapses and injuries that have cost them crucial points. Awoniyi’s setback is just the latest in a string of fitness concerns that have plagued their campaign.

But beyond injuries and results, what this episode underlines is the fine line football clubs must walk in the age of viral moments. A few seconds of video, clipped and shared without context, can set the tone for an entire news cycle. And for clubs trying to project calm and unity during high-pressure moments, that’s a major challenge.

Forest Push Back Against the Narrative

The phrase “fake news” isn’t one often heard in the post-match press room, but Forest didn’t mince words. Their message was clear: context matters, and assumptions — especially in such a high-stakes environment — can be more damaging than the events themselves.

It was a rare, direct rebuke of the pundit class and social media speculation, and it speaks to a growing frustration within football over how quickly stories spiral. Nuno, known for his stoic, sometimes reserved demeanor, has shown no signs of friction with his employer. In fact, reports from those close to the club suggest the relationship between coach and owner is functional and collaborative.

The Road Ahead for Nuno and Marinakis

As the season enters its final stretch, Forest’s priorities are clear. Secure their place in the Premier League. Get their key players — or at least those still standing — through to the finish line. And, crucially, avoid distractions.

There will be scrutiny, of course. The Premier League spotlight doesn’t fade easily. And if results dip or tensions rise, every camera, every comment, every glance will be dissected.

But for now, the club is trying to set the record straight. There was no sideline row. No shouting match. Just an owner worried about his striker, walking onto the pitch in a moment of emotion.

That might not fit the tabloid narrative — but as far as Forest are concerned, it’s the truth.