Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis confronts Nuno Espirito Santo

Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the City Ground pitch to speak to Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes threatened to turn to dust.

The Forest owner appeared to be furious after Forest could only draw 2-2 with already-relegated Leicester, meaning that two wins from their final two games might not even be enough to secure a place in Europe's premier club competition – even though this point is virtually certain to ensure Forest compete in European football next term.

In extraordinary scenes after the final whistle, Marinakis marched on to the playing surface and approached Nuno.

However, Mail Sport understands he was not remonstrating with the Forest boss, rather he was expressing his frustration at the injury situation surrounding substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.

Awoniyi had come on in the 83rd minute for Ibrahim Sangare as Forest searched for a winner but the 27-year-old forward needed treatment when he clattered into the far post on a quick counter-attack.

Although he rejoined the game minutes later, he was limping around as Forest failed to find the goal needed to move up to fifth.

Awoniyi had been checked by club medical staff and Marinakis was left frustrated that he was cleared to carry on, particularly after Nuno had probed with the medical staff twice.

Forest subsequently made another substitute, meaning that even though Awoniyi was struggling, he could now not be replaced. 

A club source said: 'The owner and the manager have a strong relationship, it was not an argument between them.'

Speaking after the game, Nuno had opened up on what went on as he explained: 'It was disappointing for everyone. It was too painful for Taiwo to push and help the team and it was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department.

'It's because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us and wants us to be better. I have been in football so many years. As a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family.' 

Meanwhile, Marinakis added: '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 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!'

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Forest deserve praise for their season but they have lost their nerve, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

Last month a boardroom reshuffle saw Marinakis place his shares in Forest in a blind trust, in order to meet UEFA rules if Forest and his other club, Olympiacos, both qualify for the Champions League. 

That possibility now looks increasingly remote, with Forest likely to have to settle for a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

Sunday's result means Forest have won just one of their last six Premier League games.

The club spent the majority of the season in the top three but now find themselves down in seventh with two games remaining.