Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has defended his decision to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City, describing his frustrations as “natural”.

Forest conceded late on against the already-relegated Foxes and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League. The draw ensured they will play European football of some kind next season but Nuno’s side now sit seventh in the Premier League standings with two games left to play.

Disappointment towards the team’s performance saw Marinakis leave the stands and enter the pitch after the final whistle for an uncomfortable exchange with Nuno – a move which has attracted significant criticism from fans on social media.

Seeking to defend his actions, Marinakis suggested confusion surrounding an injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who came on as a late substitute but soon picked up a problem which effectively turned him into a passenger for the remainder of the game, was behind his frustrated decision.

“Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 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!” Marinakis said.

“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 misjudgment 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!”

Rather than replace Awoniyi in the dying embers, Forest made a different change as Jota Silva came on Elliot Anderson in the 91st minute, despite the fact the striker could hardly run after a collision with the post.

“It was disappointing for everybody. Unfortunately, we had to play the last ten minutes with one man less. T [Awoniyi] gave it a go but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team,” said Nuno.

“There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department. We had the heads up to make a sub, then T tried but he could not.”

On Marinakis’ reaction, Nuno added: “[There was] disappointment and frustration, of course. But it is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better. It is his passion and desire to be a big club – 30,000 people felt the same today. For sure, many of them would go on the pitch and shake us down.

“Us as a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family. I have been in football so many years as a player and as a coach. It is the passion and desire. The players feel it, we feel it and the fans feel it. We have to do better. Today, it was our obligation to do better.”