NOTTINGHAM, England โ Nottingham Forestโs forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, has recently undergone an โurgentโ medical procedure following an injury sustained during a heated Premier League encounter. This incident sparked a notable on-pitch debate between the teamโs manager and the club owner. The injury occurred during a 2-2 draw with Leicester City last Sunday when Awoniyi collided with the goal frame after being introduced as a substitute in the second half.
The club has yet to announce the expected duration of Awoniyiโs absence. As it stands, Nottingham Forest has two remaining league fixtures: one away at West Ham and another at home against Chelsea. The teamโs aspirations to secure a spot in the Champions League hang by a thread.
Following the Leicester match, club owner Evangelos Marinakis took to the field, expressing frustration towards manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The manager later clarified that Marinakisโs exasperation stemmed from a miscommunication between the bench and the medical team post-Awoniyiโs injury.
Despite receiving medical attention, Awoniyi indicated he was fit to continue. Acting on this signal, Espirito Santo decided to keep him in play and proceeded with his final substitution, replacing Elliot Anderson with Jota Silva during stoppage timeโs opening minute. Unfortunately, Awoniyiโs condition declined, leaving him visibly uncomfortable on the field, effectively reducing Forest to ten men and hindering their hopes of clinching a victory.
In recent developments, Marinakis has stepped down as a person exercising significant control over Forest as the club edges closer to an unexpected Champions League qualification. UEFA regulations prohibit club owners with influential control over more than one club from participating in its competitions, applicable if both clubs qualify. As well as owning Forest, Marinakis is the president of Olympiacos, who has already qualified as Greek champions.
With two games left in the season, Nottingham Forest holds the seventh position, trailing just one point behind fifth-placed Chelsea. The top five placements secure entry to the Champions League.