Espirito Santo said on Sunday that the incident was due to Marinakis's frustration over injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi not being substituted. The Forest manager added that the Nigeria international was left on due to a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical departments. Forest, however, said in a statement on Tuesday that there was no confrontation and described the backlash directed at Marinakis as "baseless." Forest said on Tuesday that Awoniyi had undergone urgent surgery for the abdominal injury he suffered in the match and later confirmed he was recovering well. "Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo," Forest posted on X.