Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, is currently in an induced coma following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury during Forest’s recent 2-2 draw against Leicester City.
It was gathered that the Nigerian international collided with a post during the intense encounter and was treated on the pitch.
However, after attempting to continue, he was eventually taken off.
Forest confirmed the severity of the situation on Tuesday, May 13, revealing that Awoniyi had to undergo emergency surgery the previous day.
According to Mail Sport, early reports indicate the operation has been successful, though doctors are carefully monitoring the situation.
The club released an emotional statement, highlighting the danger of such injuries and reinforcing the need for player safety above all else.
“The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi’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,” the statement read.
Forest explained that team owner Evangelos Marinakis was visibly emotional and stepped onto the pitch out of deep concern.
“To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instils that message in all of us,” the club added.
“He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team,” the statement continued.
According to Forest, there was no altercation between Marinakis and coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Rather, there was shared frustration that Awoniyi had not been taken off sooner.
The club blamed its medical staff for allowing the player to continue despite the visible pain he was in.
Taiwo Awoniyi was reportedly unable to be subbed off earlier due to the team having used all their substitutions.
In the dying minutes of the game, the striker struggled to move, leaving Forest with only ten players as they pushed for a late winner.
Meanwhile, Forest urged critics to show compassion and avoid spreading false stories.
“We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online,” the club warned.
They emphasized that concern for a player’s health must come before online debates or social media traction. “
Let concern come before commentary,” the club concluded.
This is indeed a tough moment for the team, but many remain hopeful for his quick recovery.
