Nuno reveals big Nottingham Forest boost as red card admission made
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed he will be on the touchline for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Fulham this weekend.
The Portuguese was sent off by referee Rob Jones in the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last Sunday for his reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White’s 83rd minute red card. Both the Reds attacker and Nuno have since been charged by the Football Association with the allegation they “acted in an improper manner” and/or “used abusive and/or insulting words” towards the officials at the Amex Stadium.
The FA said Nuno and Gibbs-White had until Friday (September 27) “to provide their respective responses”. However, the club are understood to have requested an extension and now have until Wednesday (October 2) to submit their observations. With the process still ongoing, Nuno is able to take his place in the City Ground dugout on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
“The charge has been made but I’m going to be available to be at the game. We are still waiting for the final result,” Nuno said in his pre-match press conference.
“We have to wait. I got a red card, everyone saw the situation. Let’s see what develops.
“It’s very difficult for managers to control their emotions sometimes. It happens with a lot of managers. It’s an emotional game. It was an emotional situation and an emotional part of the game. Sometimes it’s hard.
“I had the chance to apologise for my behaviour (after the game) and I think it was accepted. I will try not to repeat it.”
The likelihood is Nuno will request a hearing into the incident. Forest will hope there are mitigating circumstances such as the majority of the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel arguing Jones was wrong to show Gibbs-White a red card, with a split of 3-2.
Nuno was already facing a suspended one-match touchline ban for comments made after last season’s defeat to Everton. On that occasion he was also fined and warned about his future conduct, with the touchline ban suspended until May 31, 2026.
“There’s always an answer and a response, we will respond to the charges,” Nuno said. “I think we deserve an opportunity to answer our view on the incident. We are entitled to respond and then we will wait.”