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Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo Surprised by Touchline Ban
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed his astonishment regarding a three-match touchline ban imposed on him following a red card incident during the 2-2 draw against Brighton last month. This decision has raised eyebrows within the football community, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the match.
Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who was also penalized for his conduct after receiving a red card in the same match, faces a one-game suspension. Gibbs-White was sent off in the 83rd minute after accumulating two yellow cards, an event that escalated into a heated moment, resulting in both Nuno and Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler receiving red cards as well.
Nuno shared his surprise about the severity of the sanction, stating, “I’m surprised – it’s a big sanction but there’s nothing we can do. We had a hearing, everything was normal. The sanction has been decided. Let’s go.” His comments reflect a willingness to move forward despite the disappointing verdict.
In a related development, Nottingham Forest has announced plans to appeal a five-match stadium ban imposed on club owner Evangelos Marinakis. This action follows his conviction for improper conduct after the team’s loss to Fulham in September.
In addition to the touchline ban, Nuno has been fined £55,000, with Gibbs-White receiving a £20,000 penalty. Brighton’s Hurzeler, meanwhile, received an £8,000 fine but managed to evade a touchline ban.
A statement from the Football Association clarified the reasoning behind the penalties, indicating that Nuno acted in an improper manner towards a match official and that Gibbs-White allegedly directed abusive language at the fourth official after his ejection. The statement also noted that Hurzeler was found to have acted inappropriately during the match.
As these developments unfold, Nottingham Forest will look to address these issues while maintaining focus on their performance on the field.
Source
www.bbc.com