Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, 27, is currently in an induced coma and receiving intensive care after undergoing urgent surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s Premier League match against Leicester City. The injury occurred when Awoniyi collided heavily with the goalpost in the 88th minute while attempting to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga. Despite receiving several minutes of on-field treatment and visibly struggling, he initially continued playing before being substituted in stoppage time due to the severity of his condition.
Forest confirmed on Tuesday that Awoniyi underwent emergency surgery after the full extent of the injury was assessed on Monday, describing his recovery as progressing well. The club emphasized the seriousness of the injury, which in some cases can be life-threatening, and expressed their support for the player. A second phase of the surgical procedure was expected to be completed shortly after.
The incident sparked a notable reaction from Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who entered the pitch after the match to express his frustration with how the medical team handled Awoniyi’s situation and appeared to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The club later issued a statement clarifying that Marinakis’s intervention was motivated by deep concern for the player’s welfare and was not a confrontation. They criticized public figures who had rushed to judgment without full information, urging respect for player health above all else.
Awoniyi’s injury forced Forest to play the final minutes with ten men, as the team had already used all their substitutions. This incident, combined with a controversial offside decision against Leicester, contributed to Forest dropping points in a crucial match for their Champions League qualification hopes. The team now sits just outside the top five with two games remaining, needing favorable results elsewhere to secure a Champions League spot.
Awoniyi, who joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022, has struggled with injuries throughout his time at the club, missing numerous games. This latest injury raises serious doubts about his future at Forest, with some questioning whether he will return to action this season or beyond.