Evangelos Marinakis confirms stance on Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis says he remains ‘extremely proud’ of Nuno Espirito Santo, despite invading the pitch to shout at the manager after the side’s 2-2 draw with lowly Leicester.

Forest looked to be heading back into the Champions League positions as they fought back from Conor Coady’s early headed effort to take a one-goal lead through Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood.

But Facundo Buonanotte came on and rescued a point for the visiting Foxes in the 81st minute, leaving Espirito Santo’s men one point adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea down in seventh.

Forest do battle with fellow Champions League hopefuls Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League season, but will, first, look to return to winning ways away to West Ham next weekend.

There were incredible scenes after the final whistle at the City Ground as Marinakis – the founder and chairman of Capital Maritime Trading Corp – rushed onto the field to make his frustrations known to Espirito Santo.

Espirito Santo later revealed the ‘confusion’ over an incident involving Taiwo Awoniyi was the source of Marinakis’ anger, with the striker deemed fit enough to continue – but clearly struggling with an injury after his introduction late on.

Soon after, Marinakis took to Instagram to have his say, underlining that the Forest head coach still had his full support after a historic top-flight campaign for the club.

‘Today is a day for celebration, because after thirty years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again, a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion!’ the Greek businessman told his followers on social media.

‘With two more games to go in the Premier League, we must keep believing and keep dreaming, right to the final kick in the final game.

‘We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we must all celebrate the historic achievements of this season.’

Marinakis added: ‘Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.

‘This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.

‘Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!’

A stunned Jamie Carragher blasted Marinakis’ behaviour while reacting to the Forest owner’s histrionics at the City Ground.

‘Get him off the pitch. Get off the pitch!’ the former Liverpool and England defender said on Sky Sports.

‘They had that situation last year on social media with the penalty and stuff like that.

‘They have qualified for Europe. It’s an unbelievable achievement for Nottingham Forest.’

Meanwhile, Carragher’s Sky Sports colleague, Gary Neville, claimed Marinakis’ actions were ‘absolutely scandalous’.

‘I feel compelled to mention that what the Nottingham Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous,’ the ex-Manchester United right-back chimed in.

‘If I were Nuno, I would be going and having a really strong word. That is an absolute scandal, he’s just qualified them for European competition.

‘Where that club’s been, to be remonstrated with on the pitch in front of their own fans is an absolute joke.

‘Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him. The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.’

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