Nigerian and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma following the first phase of surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward suffered the injury in the 88th minute after colliding with the post while attempting to convert a cross from Anthony Elanga at the City Ground.
Awoniyi, who came on as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare, received prolonged treatment on the pitch before being taken to the hospital.
The initial operation took place on Monday night, and he remains in the hospital, with the second phase of the procedure scheduled for Wednesday. In a statement released on Tuesday, Nottingham Forest confirmed that Awoniyi is “recovering well” following surgery.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over current offside protocols. Elanga was offside when he received the ball, but the assistant referee did not raise the flag until after the collision, adhering to VAR rules that instruct officials to delay their signal if a goal-scoring opportunity is imminent.
While the policy ensures that potential goals are not prematurely disallowed, critics argue that the delay puts players at unnecessary risk, as highlighted by Awoniyi’s injury.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed his concern directly to manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the match and is said to be receiving regular updates on the player’s condition.
The club’s statement reads, “Taiwo’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.”
