Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma and receiving intensive care following emergency surgery to treat a severe abdominal injury that could have proven fatal, Mail Sport has reported.
The 27-year-old Nigerian striker sustained the injury during Forest’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City on Sunday after a heavy collision with the goalpost. Despite receiving treatment on the pitch, Awoniyi briefly continued playing before being substituted — at a point when the club had already used all its available substitutions.
Forest confirmed on Tuesday that Awoniyi was rushed to hospital on Monday after the true extent of the injury became apparent. Emergency surgery was carried out promptly, and early reports suggest the procedure was successful. However, doctors were said to still be monitoring the complex medical situation as of Tuesday evening.
The injury has been described as “severe” and potentially life-threatening. Nevertheless, Forest stated that Awoniyi is “recovering well” under medical supervision.
In the wake of the incident, Nottingham Forest also issued a firm statement defending club owner Evangelos Marinakis, who entered the pitch after the final whistle to confront head coach Nuno Espírito Santo — a move criticized by pundits including Gary Neville. The club also expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of its own medical handling of the situation, acknowledging the difficult circumstances presented by being unable to replace Awoniyi late in the match.
