“That’s Not Professional” – Vitor Pereira Explains Tunnel Clash That Led to Aston Villa Handshake Snub

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has finally broken his silence following the explosive scenes that overshadowed Forest’s crushing 4-0 Europa League defeat to Aston Villa, revealing that a heated confrontation in the tunnel at half-time played a major role in the now-viral handshake snub after the final whistle.

The dramatic encounter at Villa Park was already packed with tension as Forest struggled to contain Villa’s relentless attacking display, but it was the post-match fallout that quickly became the biggest talking point across social media.

Speaking after the defeat, Pereira made it clear that respect remains non-negotiable for him, regardless of the intensity of the occasion.

“I won’t accept a lack of respect even after the final whistle — that’s not who I am,” Pereira said.

The Forest boss also addressed the tunnel altercation that reportedly erupted during the interval, insisting emotions had crossed into unacceptable territory.

“What happened at the tunnel didn’t even really crossed the line.”

Although Pereira stopped short of naming individuals involved, he strongly hinted that the behaviour displayed during the confrontation left him deeply disappointed.

“If any of my players behave like that, I would make them apologise immediately no debate.”

“At this level, you must act like a professional, even when emotions are high.”

The comments appeared to explain why Pereira noticeably avoided a warm exchange after the final whistle, with cameras capturing an awkward moment between the coaching staffs as players left the pitch.

Despite the controversy, the result itself was brutal for Forest. Aston Villa dominated from start to finish, exposing defensive weaknesses and punishing nearly every mistake as the home crowd celebrated one of their most convincing European performances in recent memory.

Forest fans, however, were left frustrated not only by the heavy defeat but also by the emotional collapse that followed behind the scenes. Many supporters online argued that the team lost control mentally long before the final whistle arrived.

Meanwhile, Villa supporters embraced the chaos, with several claiming the tunnel drama only highlighted how intimidating Villa Park has become on major European nights.

The incident is now expected to draw further scrutiny from UEFA officials, especially if reports from inside the tunnel continue to surface in the coming days. For Pereira, though, the message was crystal clear: losing is one thing, but losing respect is something he refuses to tolerate.