'Frustrated by Awoniyi's injury' - Nottingham Forest owner explains why he was on the pitch after final whistle

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis took to social media on Sunday evening to express his satisfaction with the club's qualification for European competition, even though the 2-2 draw with Leicester City all but dashed their Champions League dreams.

The result still secured a place in the Europa or Conference League with two games remaining.

After the final whistle, Marinakis went onto the pitch to discuss Taiwo Awoniyi's injury with manager Nuno Espirito Santo — an incident that left Forest playing with ten men.

Marinakis questioned Nuno Espirito Santo's decision to keep an injured Taiwo Awoniyi on the pitch.

Thrown on in the 83rd minute as Forest pushed for a winner, the Nigeria international needed medical attention after crashing into the post. 

In his message, the club owner praised the team’s efforts this season but urged them to keep pushing to reach the best possible position.

Writing on Instagram, Marinakis said: "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!

"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.

"Everybody- coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself- we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment 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!"

Champions League hopes are slipping away from Nottingham Forest's grasp, with only daunting clashes against West Ham and Chelsea left to decide their fate.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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