Nottingham Forest boss ‘surprised’ at three-match ban for red card

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo expressed his “surprise” at receiving a three-match touchline ban following his red card during the draw against Brighton last month.

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who faced charges for his reaction to his dismissal in the 2-2 draw, has been handed a one-match suspension.

Gibbs-White was sent off in the 83rd minute after receiving a second yellow card, with both Nuno and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler also receiving red cards in the aftermath.

“I’m surprised – it’s a big sanction but there’s nothing we can do,” said Nuno.

“We had a hearing, everything was normal. The sanction has been decided. Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest announced their intention to appeal a five-match stadium ban imposed on owner Evangelos Marinakis.

He was found guilty of improper conduct following Forest’s defeat to Fulham in September.

In addition to his three-match ban, Nuno has been fined £55,000, while Gibbs-White faces a £20,000 fine.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler received an £8,000 fine but was not subjected to a touchline ban.

A Football Association statement, read: “It was alleged that the Nottingham Forest head coach [Nuno] acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

“The Nottingham Forest midfielder [Gibbs-White] allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official after being sent off.

“It was alleged that the Brighton and Hove Albion manager [Hurzeler] acted in an improper manner.”

It said Nuno, Gibbs-White and Hurzeler all admitted to their respective charges, with the punishments enforced by the independent regulatory commission.

Forest had asked for more time to prepare a response having initially been given until 27 September.

Nuno apologized for his reaction towards the officials, including referee Rob Jones and fourth official Anthony Taylor, hoping that his contrition would result in leniency.

However, the Portuguese manager received a two-match ban for this specific incident, and a previously suspended one-match ban for comments made after Forest’s 2-0 defeat at Everton in April was also activated.

Evangelos Marinakis, 57, was charged with improper conduct following a 1-0 defeat to Fulham at the City Ground on September 28.

The charge stemmed from the owner’s behavior in the tunnel area at full-time, which occurred after Forest’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a VAR-awarded penalty for Fulham in the 51st minute.

Marinakis denied the charges, but the independent regulatory commission found him guilty.

Additionally, last week, the club was fined £750,000 due to a social media post made in April that criticized the appointment of Stuart Attwell for Forest’s 2-0 loss against Everton at Goodison Park.

Forest claimed that Attwell was a supporter of their relegation rival, Luton Town.