Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to be brought out of an induced coma following emergency surgery on a severe abdominal injury sustained during Nottingham Forest’s recent match against Leicester City. The striker collided with a post late in the game at the City Ground, an incident that prompted immediate concern and medical intervention.
The injury occurred in the 88th minute when Awoniyi attempted to meet a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga. In doing so, he crashed heavily into the post and remained down for an extended period. Despite receiving treatment on the pitch, he returned to action briefly, as Forest had already used all of their allowed substitutions. It was only later that the seriousness of the injury became fully apparent.
The collision happened under controversial circumstances. Elanga was in an offside position when he received the ball, but the assistant referee did not raise the flag immediately, in keeping with current International Football Association Board (Ifab) guidelines, which advise delaying offside calls until a phase of play is completed. The delay in signaling contributed to the sequence of play that led to Awoniyi’s injury.
Following the match, the striker was admitted to hospital and underwent surgery on Monday. Medical professionals made the decision to place him in an induced coma to help stabilise his condition and for his comfort during the critical recovery period. The club is optimistic that Awoniyi, who is 27, will make a full recovery, though no timeframe has been set for his release from hospital or return to action.
The aftermath of the incident saw club owner Evangelos Marinakis enter the pitch, a rare move that sparked significant discussion. The club later released a statement explaining his actions. According to the statement, Marinakis was deeply distressed by the sight of Awoniyi in such visible pain and reacted out of genuine concern for the player’s wellbeing. The owner’s decision to intervene was not premeditated but driven by emotion and a desire to ensure the seriousness of the situation was acknowledged.
Forest clarified that Marinakis’s actions were not aimed at confronting any staff members, including head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. Instead, the statement described a shared frustration among the club’s hierarchy, medical staff, and coaching team. There was general agreement that, in hindsight, Awoniyi should not have been allowed to continue playing, even briefly, after such a serious collision.
The 2-2 draw was an important fixture for Forest, who are battling for a European qualification spot. The team played the closing minutes with ten men due to Awoniyi’s exit, which may have influenced the final result. While the draw kept Forest in contention, it slightly dented their hopes of reaching the Champions League, adding to the emotional intensity of the situation.
As the footballing world awaits further updates on Awoniyi’s condition, the club continues to express its support for the player and confidence in his eventual recovery. The incident has also renewed conversations around player safety, offside protocols, and the importance of immediate and decisive medical decision-making during high-stakes matches.
