Football fans have called for Gary Neville to apologise following his criticism of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who stormed onto the pitch on Sunday amid concerns over Taiwo Awoniyi.
The 27-year-old is currently in hospital, having been placed into an induced coma after he collided with a post in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Leicester.
Awoniyi, according to Sky Sports, has a ruptured intestine. The footballing community is hoping he makes a swift and speedy recovery at such a difficult time.
On Sunday, Marinakis stormed onto the pitch to exchange tense words with Nuno Espirito Santo. The nature of their discussion was initially unclear but the club have since confirmed that the Forest owner was unhappy with how the situation regarded his player's injury was handled.
Football fans have called for Gary Neville to apologise following his criticism of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who stormed onto the pitch on Sunday amid concerns over Taiwo Awoniyi
PA
Neville, however, went as far to suggest that Nuno should quit his role as manager.
The Sky Sports pundit, who wasn't aware of the severity of Awoniyi's injury, said: “Scandalous from that Forest owner.
“Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”
But with news of Awoniyi being placed into an induced coma, fans have called for Neville to apologise for his remarks.
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Nuno Espirito Santo and Evangelos Marinakis had angry words on the field following Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with LeicesterGetty "I hope now Gary Neville will apologise and offer his best wishes to Taiwo," said one user.
A second stated: "They need to scrap this delayed offside rule man, also Gary Neville get your apology ready to the Nottingham Forest owner."
Another wrote: "Scandalous Marinakis came on the pitch furious a player was allowed to play on who’s now fighting for his life in hospital?
"Our manager should leave for that?
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"Gary Neville you’re vile. Crazy he hasn’t deleted this or even wished Taiwo well."
A fourth said: "Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma and receiving intensive care.
"It's time you swallowed your pride Gary Neville and apologies for this."
And a fifth wrote: "Scandalous from Gary Neville. Sky should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Sky Sports buyers, co-workers and managers do not deserve that."
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Scandalous from that Forest owner. Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans,players and manager do not deserve that
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) May 11, 2025
Forest released a strong statement on Tuesday, insisting that Marinakis had every right to be concerned about his player.
Though his decision to storm the field initially seemed to be controversial, the evolving situation has painted things in a different light.
"The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi's injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player's health and well-being must always come first," the statement read.
"This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner.
Taiwo Awoniyi collided with a post during Sunday's 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and LeicesterGETTY"To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn't just a club, it's family, and he instils that message in all of us.
"That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own.
"He didn't just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.
"In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.
"When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.
"It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.
"There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.
"In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context.
Taiwo Awoniyi suffered the injury in the latter stages of Sunday's 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Leicester, prompting Evangelos Marinakis' on-field outburst
PA"Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social-media traction serves no one, least of all the injured player.
"We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary."
