Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis came onto the pitch to remonstrate with manager Nuno Espirito Santo after they dropped points in the race for Champions League qualification.
Forest drew 2-2 with relegated Leicester, with Facundo Buonanotte scoring the equaliser in the 81st minute, as the hosts missed the chance to move into the top-five after Chelsea’s defeat at Newcastle earlier.
While they were disappointed, the result actually confirmed Forest’s place in Europe next season, and there are still two games left to try and secure a return to the Champions League.
There were extraordinary scenes, however, as Forest owner Marinakis came down from the stands and entered the pitch at full-time. Marinakis appeared to speak angrily towards Nuno, who did not respond.
The incident was shown on Sky Sports and former Jamie Carragher reacted on air by telling Marinakis to “get off the pitch”. Gary Neville described the incident as “scandalous”.
Nuno’s side looked certainties to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition at the start of April until a run of just one win in the last six which has left them in the last-chance saloon.
Chris Wood’s 20th goal of the season put them on course to beat their East Midlands rivals, after Morgan Gibbs-White earlier cancelled out Conor Coady’s opener.
But Buonanotte had the final say, which saw owner Marinakis take umbrage with his manager in unsavoury scenes at the full-time whistle.
They are no longer in charge of their own destiny as even if they win their final two games, including a final-day meeting with Chelsea, it might not be enough unless Aston Villa, Manchester City or Newcastle drop points along the way.
The result does not change anything for Leicester, who are already condemned to the drop, but denting Forest’s ambitions will be sweet.
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